The Faculty II: The Last Invasion

Gas Problems

The sleepy silence that usually hung over the Ohio town in the late morning was shattered by the noise of two revving engines. A Jeep Cherokee screeched through the streets, chased closely by a wounded GTO that sputtered and wheezed as it attempted to keep up. The occupants of the Jeep was a blonde haired girl, perhaps twenty years of age, clutching the steering wheel, a boy slumped against the window in the passenger side. The smaller car, however, was crammed full of four teenagers, two boys and two girls in the backseat.

"Hurry Zeke, she'll get away!" Stokely cried, ignoring Riva's attempts to soothe her. Zeke gritted his teeth together in annoyance as his eyes darted down towards the gas gauge which was bordering on empty. He threw the car into a sharp right, his car whining in protest, and entered one of the busiest streets in town. Several curses flew from his mouth as he saw cars swerving and dodging out of his way, while also trying to avoid being hit by the Jeep in front of him.

Zeke's eyes flashed as he pressed his foot against the gas pedal, flooring it and hearing his engine roar in response. His reflexes kicked in, keeping them alive as he narrowly avoided collisions. "She's heading towards the interstate," he growled to Casey, who was seated tensely beside him.

"You're nearly out of gas," the other replied nervously.

"I can't just give up. She has Stan and Delilah, she's not getting away with it."

Riva's terrified squeal interrupted them, "Look out!" Zeke cranked the steering wheel to the side seconds before his car would have been side swept by a honking semi. His car careened out of control from the quick movements, the driver wrestling desperately to regain control of the car before it could inflict more damage.

Casey's eyes scanned the street in horror, his attention having been diverted by the death that he narrowly escaped, realizing that Marian had vanished in those few moments. It turned out the Atlantian was an excellent driver. The realization soon dawned on the others, which was evident by Stokely's wail and Zeke's string of curses. Growling audibly, the ex-druggie slammed his fist against the steering wheel, ignoring the sharp pain in inflicted in his now throbbing knuckles.

"She got away! That freaking, little b—" Zeke's rant was silenced by a look from Casey, who was quietly motioning toward the distressed Stokes. Riva had put her arm around the girl, but she was beyond comfort at the thought of her boyfriend now at the mercies of their enemy. Zeke and Casey were at a loss of what to say or do, both completely frustrated by the helplessness they felt, the lack of control.

Before any words of great wisdom or advice could be spoken, a light flashed on Zeke's control panel followed by a loud ding. The driver didn't have to look to know he was out of gas. He idly scanned the surrounding area and spotted a gas station only around the corner. Wordlessly, he twisted around in his seat and drove the defeated vehicle to the station.

As the gas began to drain into the empty tank, Zeke was free to vent his anger and frustration out on his hubcaps. This was done with his foot and much howling, though not just from the pain he was inflicting upon himself. Through the windows, he could see Stokely sobbing hysterically despite the desperate attempts by Casey and Riva to calm her. The girl was hunched over, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably, black rivers of mascara flowing down her cheeks. Several moments later, Riva immerged looking far worse for the wear.

She had obtained freedom for less than an hour, yet hadn't spent a moment of it in celebration. Of course, the situation hardly called for a party, but Zeke still wondered if the alien has managed to feel any joy over the concrete ending of her enslavement. Riva, feeling the other's eyes upon her, offered some explanation as to why she had escaped the car, "I'm going to buy a water. Stokely has nearly cried all of hers away." Zeke only grunted and offered a slight nod, his attention being drawn to the pump as it was nearly finished.

The alien began to make her ways towards the run down shack that constituted as the "food mart." She wove between the few gas stations, when a car came to a screeching halt only feet from her. The alien's eyes were wide with fear as she eyed the driver that had nearly taken her life; the driver stared back with clouded eyes. "You alright?" Zeke called from his spot, having heard the tires squeal to a stop as well as the frightened noise that had emitted from Riva.

"Yes, I am fine," the alien girl called weakly back as she began to regain her composure. She shot another glance at the vehicle and driver, refocused once more on her mission to get the distressed Stokley more liquid, when the license plate of the car that had nearly killed her caught her line of vision. It was an out of state plate, reading CRZE DRVR which seemed quite appropriate. The girl shook her head, shaking it clear as she aimed once more towards the shack-like pay station.

It wasn't until she had already paid for the water bottle and was returning to the group of dejected teens that it snapped in place. "I know!" she cried, racing towards Zeke who was leaning against the dented hood with a scowl fixed firmly on his face. He quirked an eyebrow in her direction, "Know what?"

"I know how we will save Stan! I know where Marian will go!"

A.N.: I'm suppose to be in bed fast asleep, but how could I sleep with the guilt of knowing I haven't updated this story in four months? I honestly can't believe you guys are still so loving and loyal enough to actually review! Peh, if I were in your shoes, I would have given up on me a long time ago. O.o I hope I'm not giving anyone ideas. I have no idea when I will get a chance to update again. I leave for a ministry trip in Russia in less then a month, school is crazy, and I've recently started a writing club. I love this story so much, and I'm so close to the end, but time is against me! I'm truly sorry and ashamed at how long this is taking me. I'm ever grateful to all of you who are so faithful on reviewing this. Thanks so much!