Hey MistFits, I'm back! And guess what else? I'M OFFICIALLY AN AUTHOR! That's right! My first book is available for sale on Amazon. It's a faith based autobiography of my life, and some of the things I've been through and came out of. It's meant to be small and short token of inspiration to anyone who reads it. NOW I'm currently writing my first fiction book, which will hopefully be available for sale by Christmas of this year (2021). It's going to a science-fiction, alien romance. If you like The Enemy's Heart, I'm sure you'll like my upcoming novel.
If you would like to read my autobiography, simply search "The Unwritten Pages" by Shekinah R. Smith on Amazon. It's available in paperback and e-book format (kindle). Because it's an autobiography, I feel the tone is much different from what I'm used to writing (i.e. FanFiction), but don't worry - I get back into the groove with my current project.
Now that that's done: I'M BACK! I'm returning with a flashback as I get back into the hang of things. Thanks so much for your love while I've been away. I've been fighting some emotional stuff, and have been dealing with a lot of unexpected issues as a result of this ongoing pandemic. I hope you enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review.
THE ENEMY'S HEART
Unknown Territories
COMPONENT:
TEN
WATCHING, PART ONE
Year: 1997
Location: Nevada
Location: Classified Air Base, formerly Paradise Ranch
New Designation: AREA 51
She didn't like this. She didn't like this at all. Margaret Woods fidgeted uncomfortably in the back of the black military grade SUV, not daring to even look out of the heavily tinted windows as the vehicle passed through a check-in station at the perimeter line. Alexander reached out a hand and gently stroked the round of his wife's knee comfortingly, sensing her apprehension as if reading his partner's mind. But despite his almost blindingly brave façade, Margaret noted the slight tremble in his fingers. He was just as nervous as she was. What Margaret didn't know, however, was that his concern wasn't for himself – but entirely for HER. In 1995, Major Alexander was approached and recruited by a classified governmental agency known as "Home Light". How could he not? He had been one of the first men alive to have faced this extraterrestrial threat and lived to tell the tale. In fact, what made him a hot commodity for this organization was the strange fact that his experience with the alien species existed on multiple accounts – an entirely unheard of feat, to say the least. After the Los Angeles attack, it became clear that this was not some random occurrence, and Alexander was even more desperate over the years to find a way to eradicate the alien danger alongside Home Light's help…Which also was the reason why his wife was here now on base with him – summoned by the agency leaders for her scientific and…personal expertise concerning the creatures who were simply dubbed "Hunters".
Yes. Personal.
Home Light became dangerously interested in Margaret after discovering a strange anomaly in these frightful attacks – her. In 1977 she laid at the feet of a Hunter, and survived. A few days later, the same Hunter purposefully stalked the female back to the Val Verdean hospital, entered her room, and studied the biologist up close with terrifying intrigue – going so far as to kidnap her from her bed when it looked like the other humans were going to interrupt his "study". But it did not end there. Every year since, Margaret felt the presence of the creature no matter where she was – and after what happened this year in 1997? Home Light had plenty of reason to believe the feeling of the Hunter's constant presence by Dr. Woods was not unwarranted after all. For you see: while the City Hunter assaulted Los Angeles and focused its vicious and primordial sights on Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, Margaret Woods had a run-in with her own Hunter in the woods of Yellowstone National Park some 1,050-something miles away. It had henceforth been dubbed the "Woods Hunter"…for more reasons that one.
The SUV pulled into the massive hangar, and once the large bay doors shut, the passenger door pulled open revealing a tall and slender man with a hideous burn welt running from his nose up into his scalp, dressed down in an all-black suit that still showcased his lean yet muscular physique, donning matching sun glasses. Sunglasses indoors? This was some serious shit, after all. "Major Woods, Dr. Woods," he addressed, helping Margaret politely out of the vehicle. His smile towards the woman was sincere, but upon turning to her massive husband, the man's grin shifted a bit – revealing a dark tenacity that made Alexander flex his muscles before possessively wrapping an arm around Margaret's waist. Needless to say, they hated each other. "My name," continued the man, "is Master Agent Jack Curtis, Supervisor – if you will – of the Home Light Legal and Field Division. I trust my men Agents Killian and Nishimoto treated you well?" As if on cue, two men in black slacks and fitting t-shirts, rounded the truck and casually saluted to their superior.
Alexander scowled lightly. "Well, Curtis, if you ask me? Their bedside manner is fucking-."
"Impeccable!" cut in Margaret, casually throwing an elbow back and slugging her husband in the gut, causing him to let out a winded cough. She smiled angelically at the two men and finally Agent Curtis – and all three men became enraptured as if caught up in some hypnotic spell. "Thank you."
Alexander gave his wife an irritated look that practically screamed, "What the hell was that for?"
The look she gave him in return was enough to make the ranking military officer stiffen with rebuke and avert his eyes from her piercing ones.
Master Agent Curtis raised a brow in amusement at the two's silent exchange before clearing his throat and stating, "Glad to hear it. Now, if you would kindly follow me – there are some important matters we'd like to discuss." He turned, and the five crossed the length of the hangar towards an awaiting elevator.
"No coffee, first?" snipped Alexander as the elevator doors opened and the group stepped inside. He reached for the control panel, but Curtis beat him to it with a rude smirk.
"I'm afraid the floor we need requires MY clearance, Alex," Jack Curtis bragged arrogantly. He placed his hand on the control panel, and after a reassuring beep, pressed a button painted yellow. Green buttons meant "full access", yellow was for "limited", and red was beyond conventional definition. But not all of the yellow floors (there were five, to be exact) were created equal. Each floor required a certain level of clearance that not all ranking members possessed. For example: the same code level floors that Alexander could utilize may not have been the same for a similarly or higher ranking member of the Intelligence Division (or Legal and Field Division – and vice versa). Woods had access to floors Y7-1 (Yellow, 7th floor, level 1) through Y9-3 (Yellow, 9th floor, level 3). Curtis, however, had access to all five subsections (Y7-1 – Y11-5) – making him a little higher in the Home Light power pool. As the mechanisms hummed to life and the group began to make their descent, Master Agent Curtis added, "And no worries. I know you both are hungry after getting on the Red Eye. Consider the debriefing as more of a continental breakfast. We'll have a nice meal waiting for you as we begin."
Some moments later, Agents Nishimoto and Killian remained on the elevator to head back up while the other three guests exited and headed down a brightly lit hall lined with large rooms housing countless offices, to a set of double doors at the end. Curtis scanned a keycard against a small glass orb, which beeped and glowed a brilliant white, and the doors pulled open to reveal a massive but inviting conference room. A large, mahogany oval shaped table sat in the center of the room surrounded by ten large wooden and leather office chairs. In each corner of the room were gorgeous and well-tended to Ficus trees – adding a certain homeliness to the room. On the south wall was a blown up photograph of the planet Earth, brilliant and detailed with colors that popped against the black coldness of space surrounding it. Margaret instinctively felt herself pulled to the photograph, captivated by the gorgeous presence of Mother Earth, to whom – as a biologist – she considered herself to be righteous knight of preservation and adoration. But what made the photo even more special, was the table beneath it overflowing with morning delicacies that called out to her. Somewhere in the back of her head she heard Master Agent Curtis say something along the lines of welcoming the husband and wife to the "Interim" – but given how swiftly she jogged on thick thighs and toned legs towards the table and grabbed a plate, whatever he was saying was of little consequence. She was starving. The forced invitation to this facility was so swift that she only had time to toss a couple things in a backpack and throw on a casual off the shoulder purple pants jumpsuit with belt and darker colored wedge heeled. It was something more for what she might wear around the house at a family function, not a meeting with a classified government agency (but given Margaret's style, shape, and accessories, she made it work). Her husband simply opted for his fatigues, though she remember him frowning at her casual ensemble. "If they wanted professionalism," she'd scolded, "then they should've given better notice."
Alexander was at her side in a heartbeat, lovingly snatching the plate out of his wife's hands and gesturing his head back towards the table. Margaret smiled at his doting, standing on her heeled tip-toes and giving her true love an appreciative kiss on his cheek before heading to take a seat while he made their plates. Sitting down, the matriarch Woods took a moment to assess the attendees as they arrived – noting some in lab coats, others in military uniforms, and those who seemed to be a little more in Agent Curtis' line of work. She also noted the four rows of church-like pews to her left, and the obvious temps, secretaries, and administrators who filled them after some serving their superiors. Before long, Alexander was at her side and setting down the plate spilling over with an egg-white omelet, turkey sausage, English muffin, and a steaming cup of hot chocolate with delectably melting whipped cream. God, she loved this man.
Not even two minutes after he'd sat down, there was a cough from the head of the table where a woman with hinting wrinkles, a military grade bun laying out her brown hair, and piercing blue eyes, sat. She was in her mid to late 50s, and gorgeous - like a retired supermodel. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," her voice practically sung out with a seductive authority that made even Margaret turn to face her. "I have a flight this afternoon to see the President, so we're going to get started." A frail looking temp shimmied by and dropped a manila folder in front of the woman before darting off and almost stumbling over himself, dropping on the first pew. The woman flipped over the folder, paused, and then made it a mission to look at every face at the table as if she were memorizing them. When she came to the Woods', she nodded at Alexander, but remain fixated on Margaret - glancing down at another page, staring back at her as if she were a specimen for study - before announcing: "For those who are unaware, I am Chairwoman Reba Laurence - head of Home Light affairs with a specialty in Intelligence. What that means is that I run this organization, and am the leading mind of our science division. Einstein WISHES he was me." There is a slight snicker in the room as the woman chuckles in play before returning to serious business. "I am holding this meeting because-."
Suddenly the door bursts open and in the doorway stands a giant of a man, at least 6ft tall, muscularly built, with a jawline that could cut diamonds. His eyes were furrowed and dark, his lips tight in annoyance, disapproval, or both. He wore a dark green pair of slacks, and black business shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his veiny arms. His eyes searched the room, and with a grunt of acceptance, reached back and gently pulled a woman forward - Latina, with skin of the most gorgeous South American beaches, and raven colored hair intricately dancing past her shoulders. Her ankle-length green dress fit her petite frame beautifully, and Margaret felt a tad underdressed (and jealous. Alexander was taking her shopping after this!). Although her face was stoic, her hand reached out and intertwined with the man's - seeking a familiar comfort in this group of unfamiliar strangers...maybe even enemies. Margaret understood that need all too well. With a thick accent, the man ushered the woman onward to a seat directly beside Margaret. The woman nodded her head as she sat down, and Margaret did the same as the man took his seat on the other side of his partner.
Chairman Reba raised a brow. "So glad you could join us."
"Would've been here sooner," stated the man in his thick accent – irritation obvious, "if your men had announced they were coming instead of surrounding my house like I was some wanted criminal."
Unamused, Laurence asked, "And that explains your tardiness because?"
He scoffed. "I suppose it explains less of my tardiness, and more of why you've got seven men hospitalized."
The woman groaned. Damn these military types. "I am holding this meeting," she continues, ignoring his remark and Master Agent Curtis' explosive cursing, "because of what has happened in Los Angeles."
A secretary from the back shrinks as her boss at the head table shoots her a frustrated and confused glance, prompting the woman to ask, "What happened...in Los Angeles?"
The Chairwoman sighed and pressed button on the side of her plate on the table, and immediately a screen lowers ahead of her at the other end of the room. A slew of images filled with countless bodies (some headless, some mere bloody skins, others skulls and spinal cords, and a massacre on an underground train) play across the screen. You could hear some of the people gathered collectively pushing back their plates at the gruesome sight, while others (Chairwoman Reba, amongst them) continued to dine sufficiently and satisfactorily. At the images Margaret can feel her heart rate accelerate. But it was when the image of it - the being in its mask leaping across a rooftop – appeared, that Margaret found herself grabbing at Alexander. "Last week," explained the Chairwoman, "the extraterrestrial threat in which Home Light was originally founded for, returned. It is apparent to us now that this is far more serious than we realized, and NOW we are convening to weigh our options and find protocols that will be implemented starting today and in the future to better prepare us for the danger it seems will be coming. And that may help us combat it. This creature from the L.A. attacks – dubbed the City Hunter - hunted throughout the city for countless days before setting his sights on a Lieutenant Mike Harrigan." Next up was a still image of an African American man standing outside of a tunnel, staring up at the night sky while nursing a wounded arm. "Harrigan, thank God, was able to kill this thing."
"That's not possible," Alexander interrupted.
Chairwoman Laurence took a sip of her coffee with an interested, but knowing expression while the remaining Council gave him odd looks. "And how is that, Major?"
Alexander snorted. "It's not possible because that damn monster was just in Yellowstone National Park three days ago." Almost instantaneously a chorus of voices filled the room: challenging the Major's announcement, demanding to know what he was talking about, stating that there HAD been no body recovered in Los Angeles so maybe the Hunter WAS still lurking around, and of course asking where were their missing reports on the events of Yellowstone National Park. Reba Laurence raised her hand alongside a fierce scowl that demanded silence in the midst of the dysfunction.
Under the harsh disapproval of their commanding officer, as the voices obediently began to hush, Margaret exhaled through closed eyes. "It's not the same one," the biologist responded to her husband. After that statement, one could hear a pin drop from three floors up due to the quiet that filled the room. No one dared to even swallow their food as all eyes focused on the African American woman intently. Just what the hell was going on here?
Shocked by her analysis, Alexander was at a loss for words as he turned in his chair to face his wife completely, grabbing her hand with desperation. "What are you talking about, babe? After what happened you KNOW-."
"It's not the same one, Alexander," Margaret cut him off with a definitive shake of the head. "That one," she pointed towards the alien's image on the screen, "is different...Its coloring is different. I may not have ever seen its face, but the one in Val Verde had skin visible literally everywhere else. Mine had more red with different patterning; and judging from the way his mask was fitted in comparison to that one's, his face is shorter. The build on the LA creature is different as well. Much leaner. Mine is a bit more bulky with muscle."
"Is?" asked a random voice in the background. "Can't help but notice the present tense being used here…"
Major Woods was incredulous. "Are you SURE?"
The biologist's head jerked back in offense at his question. It was like he was questioning her ability to remember or make sound decisions, and she was sick of that. It had been this way for the past 20 years. Every time she had a flashback of that night, or every time she swore there was a moving shadow lurking – watching her – Alexander always tip toed around her like she was crazy…or just wrong. Margaret's expression towards him was overflowing with brewing viciousness. "I'm a biologist," the woman hissed, causing her husband to lean back. "I study creatures and plant life on an in depth scale. Not to mention I was up close and personal with that thing for a good while. I think I KNOW what I'm talking about when I say it's damn different, Alexander."
Somewhere in the background a temp whispered with all the sass of a thousand aunties at the cookout, "Put him in his place, sis."
The man with the foreign accent who'd arrived late to the meeting looked around and splayed his hands in a growing frustration reflecting how everyone else was obviously feeling. "Someone mind telling me what the hell is going on here?" he demanded with impatience. He and Alexander exchanged tense glares.
Chairwoman Laurence cocks her head to the side and motions between the four. "Alright everybody, introduction time. Major Dutch Schaefer, meet Major Alexander Woods and his wife Biologist Margaret. Major Woods, meet Major Dutch Schaefer and his wife, Anna. Major Schaefer fought one of these things in hand to hand combat in Val Verde in 87 - ten years after your men had a brief run in in '77 in the same jungle...and the Verdean hospital."
Now it was time for the Latina woman Anna to speak as she looked to the Chairwoman. "Verdean hospital? I don't understand."
Agent Curtis cleared his throat. "If everyone will turn their pamphlets to Page 12, section 5-," the sounds of paper turning followed immediately, "-you will see that the Hunter in 1977 Val Verde extinguished an entire military platoon, save one, before being driven off by Major Woods' arrived reinforcements after causing the vehicle his wife was in to have an accident, where she climbed out of the car before the alien's feet. A few days later, Major Woods' wife Dr. Margaret Woods found that the sneaky bastard had snuck into her hospital room. It kept her alive, surprisingly, and began to – from what she explained – analyze her. When others came to her rescue, the Hunter took off through the window with Margaret. She was found hours later outside of the hospital. But then something strange happened."
"Something stranger," asked a man in a lab coat, "than being kidnapped and spared by a homicidal alien?"
Agent Curtis ignored him. "Margaret Woods reported that at some point every year for the past twenty years, she has felt the presence of this creature – watching her." Anna stared at Margaret as if she were some religious being blessing Earth with her presence – the only question was whether that look was due to reverence…or fear. "And then, three days ago in Yellowstone National Park, contact was made. We have reason to believe that not only is this species invested in coming to our planet, but that one of these monsters have become uncommonly invested in Margaret. The question now is whether or not this is truly a rare occurrence? The second question is how can we use his uncommon interest to our benefit?"
Alexander bristled as Margaret instantly lost her appetite and set her fork down. "Hell to the no!" exclaimed the Major. "You are NOT using my wife as some bait for those murderous fuckers! I don't care how uncharacteristic, how infatuated, how FUCKED UP in the head that bastard is."
Reba held up her hand to try and calm the boisterous and territorial Major. "Before we jump all the way to level 10, how about we utilize you for the reason you were brought here? Dr. Margaret, can you please tell us about what happened in Yellowstone?"
She knew that this was ultimately why her presence had been insisted – but deep down the wife couldn't shake the feeling that maybe the more Home Light knew about her "connection" to this thing, then the worse things for her and her family ultimately could get. She also couldn't ignore the highly probably reality that this – this entire "meeting" – was just a pretty cover up for the true and nefarious intention and existence of Home Light. They wanted to lull them into a false sincerity, possibly for easier manipulation. Margaret knew that that pretty smile coming from the Chairwoman hid a terrifying danger. Either way? Margaret took a deep breath. "We were there for a family outing…my parents were having their wedding anniversary, and all their kids and families rented a bunch of RVs and we made our home for the next few days at a popular camp ground…We were the only ones there – having rented out the entire ground just for us…
With the Tiffin Motorhome in park, the slides all extended, and all the family disbanding out of their own RVs or trailers, Margaret pushed open the door and stepped out onto the soft soil, reveling in the crunch of sticks and sediment beneath her hiking boots. To the left of the crescent of vehicles was the gorgeous rippling of a massive lake. The soft hum of the waves licking against the pebbled shore gave the woman a deep solace and peace within her soul that could not be defined or named with a single word in a thesaurus or sentence in a dictionary. It had been years since she'd been out in the field, and this moment right now was incomparable. Of course she could never regret having her daughter, but with Alexa away delving into all the possibilities that her degree in environmental science had offered her over the last few years, Margaret was able to dive back into what she loved. Even though she wasn't here on official business (rather pleasure in celebrating her parent's anniversary), it felt wonderful to be back in nature. Alexa may have had her father's tenacity, but every day Margaret was humbled to have given their daughter her love for the world and respect of everything on it. She looked forward to the day when the mother/daughter duo would be able to explore and appreciate the world on a deeper scale together.
Alexander came stumbling down the steps of the motorhome, cursing about how narrow it was for a full grown man to make it down, while balancing an assortment of knick-knacks (gifts for their parents, and whatever else that would keep he and her siblings bonding over the fire). Alexander sighed before looking at his wife and smiling. "You look beautiful in that light, baby." And she did. The way the sunlight cast off the water's reflection behind her, and the way the sun kissed her melanin rich skin in a way that reflected specks of gold in her flesh, was hypnotic. Alexander always said that Margaret wasn't from this world – she was his "alien goddess", and knew deep down that he could never truly deserve her.
Margaret scoffed. "I look OLD," she argued, rubbing her very sore knee. She'd injured it a few months ago while conducting research at a biologic preserve, and already arthritis was setting in. Her mind constantly worried about having to get a knee replacement despite her PCP telling her that she wasn't quite that far along yet.
"Woman, I'd still give you all my babies!" The couple laughed, and walked hand in hand towards the main picnic area where her family was already waiting. "Margaret," cooed her mother – an ebony rich woman who walked like she could form islands beneath her feet, and bring sun to any cloudiness of the mind with just a touch.
"Hey mama," the biologist responded, giving her mother a kiss and then moving out of the way so Alexander could do the same. She looked around curiously before asking, "Where's daddy?"
Her mother, Irene, shook her head with a snort. "Where do you think?" Almost instinctively Margaret's eyes went out onto the lake, where a cluster of boats were already gathered. Somehow she thought she could make out her father's tan and feathered fishing cap, covered in glued on jewelry that had been a present from Alexa and her cousins as children. At first daddy had murmured that it wasn't "manly", but when he came home from his first fishing trip wearing it, and hauling eight record breaking trout, he claimed it his good luck charm – and you couldn't take it from him since. The sudden blinding flicker of light, was all the confirmation she needed to know it was indeed him out there – likely with his brothers and nephews.
A group of kids ran up to the trio as more and more adults formed, giving their aunt sweet hugs which they happily received in return. "Auntie Margaret," asked on the boys, probably high school age, "are you going to set up your tent with us?"
Margaret visibly stiffened. "Tent?"
One of Margaret's sisters raised a brow. "Yes. We're camping remember? Everyone wants to sleep out in the tents for the first night – you know? Family bonding."
Margaret lost her voice. Somehow she wanted to say that wasn't the best idea – or mention that there might be bears – but somehow all she could see in her minds' eye was waking up to "him" hovering over her. Pulling her out of the tent. Killing everyone there on the cold, hard ground. Looking at the massive trees her mind went back to 20 years ago at Val Verde…it went back to 3 years ago at her home…to an encounter she'd never told anyone about…not even her beloved husband. Alexander cleared his throat and stroked Margaret's shoulder before answering, "No tents for us! You know how much this RV cost to rent?! Too damn much to be spending a night on the ground, I'll tell you that!" Her family laughed in understanding, while Margaret managed a giggle…her eyes looking to the darkened canopies of the trees surrounding them. Her brows narrowed at a shadow about twenty feet in, eyes focusing – trying to see what it was. But it did not shift, or flitter, or sway. It was constant enough to put her mind at ease…but too constant to entirely forget. With a deep sigh she turned her attention back to her mother – telling herself that this weekend about them…and that everything would be fine…
From the canopies he watched as the countless bodies gathered together in camaraderie…affection. Noting the massive vehicles where the oomans appeared to be seeking shelter. They were like mother ships, but on a smaller, more intimate scale. He'd been here to observe the city hunt…but stayed while his brethren headed back deep into the stars. He stayed for the same reason he always returned…His vision locked on those eyes that had already sensed his presence within the trees, and a soft purr reverbed through his chest. He stayed for the same reason he always returned…for her.
To be continued…
AN: I just love the lore I'm making here, the history. Tying the past with the present is so much fun! Question is: HOW INTRICATELY KNOTTED ARE THESE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MARGARET'S PAST AND LEX/SCAR'S PRESENT AND FUTURE, GONNA BE?
Pretty tight knit...if you ask me...
*maniacal laugh*
