The Faculty II: The Last Invasion
Zeke's Secret Job
"Is that her?" Casey asked warily, staring at the glass tube clutched in Riva's hand. The alien nodded, sticking her arm out and opening her palm so he could see the contents of the clear tube; the boy staggered back at the sight of the shriveled up alien pod. She looked exactly the same as the day he had first found her when he had been wandering through the field during lunch.
He eyed Mary Beth warily, "You sure no water will get in to her?"
"Positive."
"Alright, give her to me. Stan and Stokely are waiting for us outside." He took the tube in two fingers, jamming it into his pocket. Taking the lead, Casey arrived on Riva's front step, surveying the area quickly. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and only a handful of clouds sailed across the sky. He paused to soak in the fresh air, a part of him wondering if this would be the last chance he got to enjoy the soft breeze on his skin. In less than an hour, the confrontation of the Atlantians was going to take place, and no one could predict the outcome of that.
"Come on Case," Stan called gravely from his Jeep Cherokee, motioning boy and alien over. Stokely sat unusually quiet in the front seat, staring out the window, but managing to muster a smile at the two as they clambered into the vehicle. "Got her?" Stan asked, twisting in the chair as Casey motioned to the cork topper of the tube that protruded from his pocket; the fact that Mary Beth was in the car was more then enough for Stan.
"Let's get rid of her once and for all. Again." He murmured, glancing sideways at his girlfriend as he put the car in drive. The four rode in uncomfortable silence, each staring out the window at the world whizzing by. Casey found his thoughts bending towards Delilah, worrying how the cheerleader was, if the ropes were biting her tender flesh, if she was stricken with fear, if he'd be the one to come to her rescue heroically so that she'd swoon in his arms and pledge him her undying love. . . .
Stan interrupted Casey's fantasy abruptly, "How do we get to this place again? It's called One World right?" Stokely nodded, pointing him around the next corner, "Yeah, I've been there a few times. I can't understand why Zeke would want us to meet him there. It's the sort of place where you read poetry while someone plays the bongos; everyone snaps instead of clapping."
"Really? I've always wanted to go to place like that."
"You are a true loser Casey."
"Pull down that alley Stan, there's parking down there."
The Jeep bounced over the potholes with jarring thuds, ceasing when Stan pulled into a spot next to Zeke's wounded GTO. Riva leaned against the glass window, peering at the other car, "He's not in there. Perhaps he is inside?"
Stokely shrugged, turning at an angle where she could see the other three. Adapting a serious face, she spoke in the same manner, "Everyone remembers Zeke's plan, right? You stay in here Stan, make sure you have your walkie- talkie on. We'll signal you if it gets nasty in there, but mostly keep an eye out for Delilah. When we get inside, Riva, I want you to stay close to Casey and me. I'll do the talking," she glanced pointedly at Casey, "and we won't let any feelings get in the way. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah. Is Zeke going to meet us in there?"
"I guess so. Let's go," Stokely leaned across the seat and plucked a kiss on Stan's lips before exiting the vehicle. Casey and Riva clambered out as well each one watching the surrounding area with an air of paranoia as they followed behind Stokley to the front of the coffee shop. The sides and windows of the building were painted in large colorful murals that, as far as Casey figured, were suppose to represent the inner tormented mind of the artist. It looked like a random swirl of colors to him. A bell dinged above the door as the trio entered, greeted by a dim interior.
Soft lights cast a certain atmosphere around the place, each table topped with a flickering candle that barely shed enough light to read the menus. Casey squinted into the semi-darkness, searching the tables dotted with various occupants, but not finding the one he sought. "Where's Zeke? He's not in here."
"Yes he is," Riva said, pointing, "behind the counter, wearing a hat." Stokley and Casey turned to follow the alien's finger, their jaws dropping as they spotted their friend working on fixing up a caramel latte, dressed in the same uniform as the other employees. "He works here?" Stokely hissed in a horrified manner, rubbing at her eyes in disbelief. Casey nodded, "At a coffee place?"
Riva glanced between her two friends with a furrowed brow, "I do not understand. What's the big deal? He has a job as most humans do, does he not?"
"Yeah, but he works here. Where they serve coffee and read and stuff." Casey replied stupidly. At that point, Zeke had spotted them and was hurriedly making his way towards them.
He hadn't really wanted them to know he worked at this joint, but he didn't see any way around it. Besides, money was money, and money paid to fix broken cars into purring creatures. He had no reason to be embarrassed by the fact that the black baseball cap situated on his head had 'One World' embroidered on the front. Zeke sighed, this pep talk was not working and he had to get the latte to table six before the woman threw a fit. He motioned to Stokley then hurriedly dropped off the drink before making his way towards them.
"Not a word," he snapped as he saw Casey about to make some, most likely, snide remark. The boy's mouth clamped shut with a small smirk that served the same purpose as if he had made his remark. Zeke shot him a glare that wiped any trace of the look from Casey face as he motioned to a corner, secluded and dimly lit. "Sit there, it's private and we can talk to them. I don't get a break for ten minutes, so if they get here, stall," Zeke hissed quickly, stealing a glance over his shoulder at a red haired woman eyeing him distastefully. Stokley nodded, beginning to lead the way when Zeke hurriedly added an odd, last command, "And drink whatever I bring to the table."
Riva nodded agreeably, but her other companions exchanged confused looks; Stokely returned to making her way across the sea of tables to the one reserved for them. She eyed the tables with mild curiosity, each one different and strange, some painted with pictures or decorated in some artsy way. The chairs crowded around the tables were all mismatched, as if they had all been bought at various garage sales across the city. Casey looked pathetically interested in the place, his blue eyes wide as he soaked in their surroundings, Riva trailing quietly behind.
The three choose seats at a long rectangular table with a disoriented picture of Earth on it, a large hand encompassing the planet as if catching a ball. Casey leaned over the table, "That's oddly appropriate. That's a human hand around Earth, isn't it?"
Zeke sighed as he shook the whip cream bottle, sending a spray of the white cream all over the counter. A slight tremble had overtaken him, something that frustrated Zeke and scared him. He was putting Delilah's life on the line, hell; he was putting Earth on the line. If he was wrong, if this didn't work- no, it would work. He sighed again, glancing up to catch his manager eyeing him again. He forced a strained smile at her before snatching up the drink and bringing it to the waiting customer. Just as he was about to set the drink down, the bell above the door rang quietly at the entrance of three, seemingly, humans.
The tremble in Zeke's hand worsened to outright shaking, spilling hot chocolate all over. "Phooey!" He snapped, grabbing a towel and cleaning up the mess while spewing out a steady stream of apologies to the customer. "Here, let me help," a soft voice offered as a pair of tanned, familiar, slender hands holding a napkin came into Zeke's view. Slowly he lifted his head to looking into Marian's taunting eyes, a playful sneer on her face as she eyed Zeke like prey.
"I've got it, thanks," he replied lowly, taking the dirty napkin from Marian and stepped back from the table. She watched him with her eyes, always silently laughing at his jerking movements, at the perspiration gathered on his brow. Zeke tried to ignore her to no avail; it felt as if her eyes were burning holes into him, piercing hot holes. "I'll get you another drink," he said to the customer before turning to the Atlantian, "They're in the corner. I'll join you shortly."
"I can't wait," Marian purred, motioning to Miss Levinson and Henry to follow her back to the corner.
A.N.: Don't hate me, please! I'm so sorry for not updating this as I promised I would. As usual, life got a bit more hectic than scheduled. I'm just shocked at the number of reviews I've gotten in the last month. O.O Wow!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This is my longest fic I've written, and honestly, I've gotten quite involved with it and it thrills me to know you guys all like it too! I've even been told this should be made into a sequel, lol! I can't thank you enough, and beg you to bear with me and my long breaks between writing. I swear, it's going to get better and the end it very near. A lot will happen next chapter, so you won't want to miss it!
Zeke's Secret Job
"Is that her?" Casey asked warily, staring at the glass tube clutched in Riva's hand. The alien nodded, sticking her arm out and opening her palm so he could see the contents of the clear tube; the boy staggered back at the sight of the shriveled up alien pod. She looked exactly the same as the day he had first found her when he had been wandering through the field during lunch.
He eyed Mary Beth warily, "You sure no water will get in to her?"
"Positive."
"Alright, give her to me. Stan and Stokely are waiting for us outside." He took the tube in two fingers, jamming it into his pocket. Taking the lead, Casey arrived on Riva's front step, surveying the area quickly. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and only a handful of clouds sailed across the sky. He paused to soak in the fresh air, a part of him wondering if this would be the last chance he got to enjoy the soft breeze on his skin. In less than an hour, the confrontation of the Atlantians was going to take place, and no one could predict the outcome of that.
"Come on Case," Stan called gravely from his Jeep Cherokee, motioning boy and alien over. Stokely sat unusually quiet in the front seat, staring out the window, but managing to muster a smile at the two as they clambered into the vehicle. "Got her?" Stan asked, twisting in the chair as Casey motioned to the cork topper of the tube that protruded from his pocket; the fact that Mary Beth was in the car was more then enough for Stan.
"Let's get rid of her once and for all. Again." He murmured, glancing sideways at his girlfriend as he put the car in drive. The four rode in uncomfortable silence, each staring out the window at the world whizzing by. Casey found his thoughts bending towards Delilah, worrying how the cheerleader was, if the ropes were biting her tender flesh, if she was stricken with fear, if he'd be the one to come to her rescue heroically so that she'd swoon in his arms and pledge him her undying love. . . .
Stan interrupted Casey's fantasy abruptly, "How do we get to this place again? It's called One World right?" Stokely nodded, pointing him around the next corner, "Yeah, I've been there a few times. I can't understand why Zeke would want us to meet him there. It's the sort of place where you read poetry while someone plays the bongos; everyone snaps instead of clapping."
"Really? I've always wanted to go to place like that."
"You are a true loser Casey."
"Pull down that alley Stan, there's parking down there."
The Jeep bounced over the potholes with jarring thuds, ceasing when Stan pulled into a spot next to Zeke's wounded GTO. Riva leaned against the glass window, peering at the other car, "He's not in there. Perhaps he is inside?"
Stokely shrugged, turning at an angle where she could see the other three. Adapting a serious face, she spoke in the same manner, "Everyone remembers Zeke's plan, right? You stay in here Stan, make sure you have your walkie- talkie on. We'll signal you if it gets nasty in there, but mostly keep an eye out for Delilah. When we get inside, Riva, I want you to stay close to Casey and me. I'll do the talking," she glanced pointedly at Casey, "and we won't let any feelings get in the way. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah. Is Zeke going to meet us in there?"
"I guess so. Let's go," Stokely leaned across the seat and plucked a kiss on Stan's lips before exiting the vehicle. Casey and Riva clambered out as well each one watching the surrounding area with an air of paranoia as they followed behind Stokley to the front of the coffee shop. The sides and windows of the building were painted in large colorful murals that, as far as Casey figured, were suppose to represent the inner tormented mind of the artist. It looked like a random swirl of colors to him. A bell dinged above the door as the trio entered, greeted by a dim interior.
Soft lights cast a certain atmosphere around the place, each table topped with a flickering candle that barely shed enough light to read the menus. Casey squinted into the semi-darkness, searching the tables dotted with various occupants, but not finding the one he sought. "Where's Zeke? He's not in here."
"Yes he is," Riva said, pointing, "behind the counter, wearing a hat." Stokley and Casey turned to follow the alien's finger, their jaws dropping as they spotted their friend working on fixing up a caramel latte, dressed in the same uniform as the other employees. "He works here?" Stokely hissed in a horrified manner, rubbing at her eyes in disbelief. Casey nodded, "At a coffee place?"
Riva glanced between her two friends with a furrowed brow, "I do not understand. What's the big deal? He has a job as most humans do, does he not?"
"Yeah, but he works here. Where they serve coffee and read and stuff." Casey replied stupidly. At that point, Zeke had spotted them and was hurriedly making his way towards them.
He hadn't really wanted them to know he worked at this joint, but he didn't see any way around it. Besides, money was money, and money paid to fix broken cars into purring creatures. He had no reason to be embarrassed by the fact that the black baseball cap situated on his head had 'One World' embroidered on the front. Zeke sighed, this pep talk was not working and he had to get the latte to table six before the woman threw a fit. He motioned to Stokley then hurriedly dropped off the drink before making his way towards them.
"Not a word," he snapped as he saw Casey about to make some, most likely, snide remark. The boy's mouth clamped shut with a small smirk that served the same purpose as if he had made his remark. Zeke shot him a glare that wiped any trace of the look from Casey face as he motioned to a corner, secluded and dimly lit. "Sit there, it's private and we can talk to them. I don't get a break for ten minutes, so if they get here, stall," Zeke hissed quickly, stealing a glance over his shoulder at a red haired woman eyeing him distastefully. Stokley nodded, beginning to lead the way when Zeke hurriedly added an odd, last command, "And drink whatever I bring to the table."
Riva nodded agreeably, but her other companions exchanged confused looks; Stokely returned to making her way across the sea of tables to the one reserved for them. She eyed the tables with mild curiosity, each one different and strange, some painted with pictures or decorated in some artsy way. The chairs crowded around the tables were all mismatched, as if they had all been bought at various garage sales across the city. Casey looked pathetically interested in the place, his blue eyes wide as he soaked in their surroundings, Riva trailing quietly behind.
The three choose seats at a long rectangular table with a disoriented picture of Earth on it, a large hand encompassing the planet as if catching a ball. Casey leaned over the table, "That's oddly appropriate. That's a human hand around Earth, isn't it?"
Zeke sighed as he shook the whip cream bottle, sending a spray of the white cream all over the counter. A slight tremble had overtaken him, something that frustrated Zeke and scared him. He was putting Delilah's life on the line, hell; he was putting Earth on the line. If he was wrong, if this didn't work- no, it would work. He sighed again, glancing up to catch his manager eyeing him again. He forced a strained smile at her before snatching up the drink and bringing it to the waiting customer. Just as he was about to set the drink down, the bell above the door rang quietly at the entrance of three, seemingly, humans.
The tremble in Zeke's hand worsened to outright shaking, spilling hot chocolate all over. "Phooey!" He snapped, grabbing a towel and cleaning up the mess while spewing out a steady stream of apologies to the customer. "Here, let me help," a soft voice offered as a pair of tanned, familiar, slender hands holding a napkin came into Zeke's view. Slowly he lifted his head to looking into Marian's taunting eyes, a playful sneer on her face as she eyed Zeke like prey.
"I've got it, thanks," he replied lowly, taking the dirty napkin from Marian and stepped back from the table. She watched him with her eyes, always silently laughing at his jerking movements, at the perspiration gathered on his brow. Zeke tried to ignore her to no avail; it felt as if her eyes were burning holes into him, piercing hot holes. "I'll get you another drink," he said to the customer before turning to the Atlantian, "They're in the corner. I'll join you shortly."
"I can't wait," Marian purred, motioning to Miss Levinson and Henry to follow her back to the corner.
A.N.: Don't hate me, please! I'm so sorry for not updating this as I promised I would. As usual, life got a bit more hectic than scheduled. I'm just shocked at the number of reviews I've gotten in the last month. O.O Wow!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This is my longest fic I've written, and honestly, I've gotten quite involved with it and it thrills me to know you guys all like it too! I've even been told this should be made into a sequel, lol! I can't thank you enough, and beg you to bear with me and my long breaks between writing. I swear, it's going to get better and the end it very near. A lot will happen next chapter, so you won't want to miss it!