Nate and Kay were completely speechless. Nate's eyes darted back and forth between the alleged alien craft and his father, searching for some sign that it was a practical joke. Kay's eyes lit up as she stared at the saucer. "So, what's inside it?" Kay fidgeted in excitement as she waited for Mr. Duggar's response. Before Mr. Duggar could reply, however, a shrill voice shot out from the rear entrance to Club Luau.
"Jerry, what have you done to my beachfront?" The accusing howl came from a small woman quickly stomping towards Mr. Duggar and the children. The woman was short and lean, with curling blonde hair that fell to shoulder length. She wore khakis and a green shirt covered with an orange floral print. A silver nametag sat nestled just above her breast pocket, reading "Jane Duggar" with "Hotel Manager" written just below. Mrs. Duggar approached her husband, peering at him from behind a large pair of glasses. The combination of her demeanor and the spectacles gave her an insect like appearance. Mr. Duggar took a step back before stealing a glance at his latest find. His wife peered past him, her eyes widening. "My beach chairs! You've crushed one! Get that piece of junk out of here!" Mr. Duggar seemed taken aback by his wife's sudden fury.
"Jane, honey, sweetie, it isn't junk. This right here is a genuine flying saucer. It could be worth loads of money! If I could just keep it here until I find a buyer…" Jerry's sheepish grin was met with indifference from his wife.
"What will the guests think, Jerry? It's unsightly." Jerry took a glance around the mostly empty beach before turning back to Mrs. Duggar.
"What guests?" Jerry realized his mistake as soon as the words left his lips. The two children stepped away into the hotel as Jane's face turned a fierce crimson. The children had escaped into the elevator by the time the shouting started.
The two children returned downstairs a few hours later, once they were sure passions had cooled. The lobby was a large, open room. The walls of the lobby were made of a faux wood paneling, intended to create a tropical theme. Plastic vines and other fake plants adorned pots around the room, interspersed with various pieces of tribal regalia. Mrs. Duggar sat behind the front desk at the far end of the room, roughly shuffling papers into a folder. Outside, Jerry was leaning against the wall of the hotel, staring at his prize. The flying saucer sat unmoved, with the net now removed. Nate approached his father hesitantly. "So, what's going to happen to it?" Jerry turned to his son with a toothy grin.
"It's staying right here, at least until I can sell it." Jerry let out a roaring bout of laughter before turning his focus to his shipmates, who were attempting to pry the door off of the spacecraft. "Now kids, we don't know how dangerous this thing is, so I don't want either of you going inside until I give the okay." Jerry held eye contact with Kay for a few moments, letting his words hold in the air.
Kay was unphased, cheerfully replying with "Sure, Mr. Duggar, we promise. Kay cocked her head and added a couple of eyelash flutters for good measure. Jerry gave the children a puzzled look before turning around and walking towards the saucer. Kay turned to Nate with a menacing glint in her eye. Before Kay even opened her mouth to speak, Nate began to shake his head.
"No Kay. Absolutely not. No way. Never. Not in a million years." Nate threw up his arms as he paced back and forth. Kay continued to stare at her friend, her expression unchanging. Nate returned her stare for a moment, putting his hands up to the sides of his head. Kay blinked and continued to stare, waiting for the inevitable. "Okay, fine, when should we sneak in?
Kay grinned from ear to ear, leaping to embrace Nate in a painfully tight hug. After Nate managed to squirm away, Kay leaned in close to whisper "Meet me by the ship at midnight, bring some flashlights. Oh, and Nate? You're welcome." Kay waved goodbye to Nate before dancing across the beach towards her home.
Nate turned to go back inside to pack for his late night expedition, muttering to himself in a voice that was attempting to sound like Kay "You're welcome, Nate. Make sure to thank me before you get disintegrated." Nate grimaced for a moment, before stopping in his tracks. The corners of his lips began to curve into a subtle smile as he recalled the hug he received. Nate's last few steps into the elevator were light and bouncy. As the metal doors closed, two words left Nate's mouth, "Worth it."
Nate exited the elevator on the top floor, approaching the suite that his family called home. The hallways of the hotel reflected the design of the lobby, with earthy brown wallpaper and tiki masks adorning the walls between rooms. The doors themselves were a stark white, contrasting the more natural colors of their surroundings. The door Nate approached was fixed with a small golden plaque that read "Management". Nate entered into his family's permanent residence within the hotel, a rather typical hotel suite cast in yellows and browns. A kitchen sat to the far right of the doorway, along with a door to the restroom. The man living space consisted of a chipped coffee table seated between a muddy brown couch and an old tube TV. To the left of the entrance were two doors, each leading to bedrooms. Nate proceeded through the suite to the nearest door on the left, entering into his bedroom.
Nate's bedroom was a vibrant mess, a neon soaked ocean of junk. Despite its appearance, however, the room was a perfect example of controlled chaos. Every piece of nondescript junk had both purpose and a proper location, sometimes that location just happened to be on the floor or shoved behind a bulging mountain of unwashed clothing. The walls of the room were the only relatively uncovered surface in the entire room, their vibrant blue only hidden by the few film posters tacked to them. Nate had never personally seen any of the films, as they all predated him, he simply loved the art. The posters were primarily old monster movies, hand-me-downs from his father's bachelor days. The floor's color was indistinguishable at present due to the sea of toys, papers, and books littering its surface.
A looming heap of clothes was the only thing visible within the small closet in the room's rear. Nate made his way there first in his hunt for the flashlights. He recalled that he had been carrying one during his last boating expedition with his father, and proceeded to rummage for the light jacket he had worn then. Sure enough, Nate uncovered the grey windbreaker in question, removing the prize within. Nate examined the small plastic flashlight, fiddling with the switch before being blasted in the eyes by a bright beam of light. He stepped back, startled, before tripping over an inconveniently placed baseball bat. Nate fell back, his descent only halted by his red race car bed frame colliding with the back of his head. Nate refused to move for a moment, wallowing in his blunder. Eventually, Nate returned to his feet, resuming his task of packing for his late night outing.
A velvet darkness had overtaken the lobby. The night manager, Keith, sat asleep at the lobby desk, the pale moonlight peeking through the beachfront windows glistening off of his balding head. A small sliver of yellowed light pierced the slumbering darkness as the elevator arrived with its lone occupant. Nate quietly stepped out into the silent lobby, hearing only his muffled footsteps on the carpeted floor. The boy drew his steps cautiously, clutching the backpack of supplies he had brought along. Nate had donned a light navy hoodie, wearing it with the hood up so that any would be observers could not make out the young man's face, or the apprehension in his eyes. As he drew closer to the beachfront doors, Nate's already cautious steps slowed even further. Nate's palm was slick with sweat as his hand wrapped around the doorknob. He held for a moment, reconsidering one final time before twisting the knob and stepping out into the night.
The beach was still, a frozen space painted in moonlight. Millions of points of light filled the night sky, reflecting off the mirrored surface of the water. The mon sat fat and full against the night, an eye gazing upon the deserted sands. The hulk of metal sat lonely on the beach, looming over Nate as he approached. Nate's eyes shifted around, hunting for his companion before finally settling on his watch. The time was 12:08 and Nate was alone. The beach's temperature was suddenly apparent to Nate. Even beneath the sweatshirt, Nate could feel the chill in the air. Nate's breath hastened as his mind whirled. This was a mistake; Nate was certain of this now. Inside that metal monstrosity lurked some beast, some unfathomable creature in the shadows. Kay was foolish, and now it had gotten her. Nate knew it was too late to run. He was sure it was the end. At any moment, some eldritch monstrosity would latch its claws around his throat and drag him into the abyss. Nate heard the sound behind him, methodical footsteps nearly silent on the soft sand. He dared not turn to face the horror creeping up behind him. He felt its icy grip curl around his shoulders. Before a scream could even escape his lips, Nate was spun around to face the creeping nightmare behind him. Nate stared in horror at it, silent. Kay returned his gaze, barely containing the shaking laughter within herself as Nate collapsed onto the sand letting out breath after heavy breath. She looked at her traumatized comrade with amusement before extending her hand. "So, did I scare you?"
Moments later, the pair were seated on the sand as Nate allowed himself to calm down. A silence once again drifted onto the beach as the two children quietly observed their reason for being outside at such an hour. A large set of doors faced the children, sealed tightly with no hope of peering through the cracks. Nate leaned towards Kay, his voice scarcely a whisper, "Where do you think it came from? Could it really be, you know, from space?"
"I don't know. I guess there's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Nate groaned, but did not refuse as Kay pulled him to his feet. They approached a small panel on the craft's side, fixed just to the left of the supposed doorway. Kay reached out to touch it, bringing the control mechanism back to life. A blue light flickered on, causing the outline of a hand to appear on the pad. Kay placed her hand in the empty space, not quite filling the outline. The panel flashed red, letting out a weak noise of alarm. Kay pulled her hand away in shock before bringing it back to her side. She turned to Nate for a moment, sneering. As her arm rummaged around in the pack dangling from her arm, Nate looked at Kay in bewilderment. Finally, Kay's arm emerged, her hand wrapped tightly around a rusted crowbar.
"Kay, wait, don't!" Nate's words were drowned out by the sound of metal on metal as Kay brought the crowbar down on the control panel again and again. The screen flickered and flashed as Kay continued her relentless assault on the machine. Nate looked around in alarm, fearing the noise would attract some sort of attention. Eventually, the lights on the pad began to fade. Kay slowed her pace, listening for some sort of audible clue as to whether or not her plan had worked. To Nate's amazement, an unlatching sound was heard against the machine's groaning. Kay smiled triumphantly, tossing the crowbar into the air and catching the opposite end.
"Showed that thing who's boss, didn't I?" Kay's laughter mixed with the grinding of metal as she thrust the crowbar between the flying saucer's double doors. Nate was speechless, simply looking on in horror as Kay pried the doors open, revealing a hallway veiled in darkness. Kay turned to Nate, beckoning towards the dumbfounded boy. "C'mon slowpoke, we don't have all night!" Nate walked forward towards the shadowy abyss in front of him, tightly clutching the straps of his backpack. Kay fell into step behind him, digging for the flashlights Nate had brought along as the darkness swallowed them whole.
The flashlight beams pierced into the depths of the ship as the children slowly made their way deeper and deeper. The occasional panel flickered or hummed as the two passed, barely functional. At the end of the long hallway, a lone open door drew the kids further inward. The room beyond appeared to be a helm of sorts, with a viewfinder and several sets of controls. A sealed door at the room's opposite end drew Kay's eye. The door was a heavy sealed bulkhead, its surface warped inward by some unseen force on the other side. Nate's eyes widened as he too saw the sealed chamber. "That door looks like it was keeping something out. What could have bent it that out of shape? It's solid metal!" Nate's question went unanswered by fascinated Kay. "We should go, Kay, this isn't right." Kay continued to ignore her companion, transfixed on the door. She reached out, feeling the dented surface of the barrier. Just then, a voice echoed out behind the children, coming from the hallway leading out.
"You can't do this, it's mine!" The voice was unmistakably Mr. Duggar, coming from outside the craft. The children turned to each other in fear. As the panic set in, another voice was heard, one much deeper and filled with authority.
"Sir, you are in possession of a piece of illegal machinery. Step away from the craft, or my associate will have to restrain you with force." Kay immediately turned and ran towards the doorway, desperate to catch a glimpse of the altercation outside. Nate turned to follow, before stopping as something on the floor was caught in his light. The object twinkled with an intensity, causing Nate to shield his eyes. The boy approached it cautiously, trying to get a better look. The item on the floor appeared to be some sort of gemstone, a lime colored triangle of immaculate cut and finish. Nate reached down, closing his hand around the gem. As he touched it, Nate felt a jolt, not unlike the feeling of static. Before Nate could examine his prize, Kay's voice sounded from in the hall, no more than a whisper.
"Nate, what are you doing? Get out here." Nate clambered to his feet, silently creeping into the hallway. Just outside the ship, Nate could see his parents along with two other men. His father stood between the two strangers and the craft, with his mother watching from a distance. The Duggars were both dressed in sleep attire, apparently awoken unexpectedly. The two others were both dressed in slick black suits and sunglasses. The one who had spoken was older, with a receding hairline of silver hair. The other appeared much younger, with long blonde hair and a small scar streaking across his nose. As the children watched, the two men closed in on Mr. Duggar, who stood his ground. The blonde man's arm swung out, and Mr. Duggar collapsed clutching his chest. Mrs. Duggar screamed and ran towards her husband, only to be caught by the silver haired man. Nate stood up, sprinting towards his fallen father, Kay following behind.
"Dad!" Mr. Duggar turned towards his son's cry in shock. Nate fell to his side, visibly distraught. The two suited men turned towards the children, surprised at their sudden appearance.
"You'd best keep get those kids out of here, Duggar. Wouldn't want them getting hurt now, would we?" The blonde man's voice was a growl, a twisted grin filling his face as he spoke. Mr. Duggar attempted to climb to his feet, aided by the two kids. "Go on back to bed. By the time you wake up, this thing'll be gone and tonight will have been no more than a bad dream." With those words, the blonde man marched past Mr. Duggar towards the entryway to the flying saucer, his associate following close behind. Mr. Duggar hobbled towards his wife with children in tow.
"Let's go inside. We can talk about this in the morning." Mr. Duggar's voice was shaky, but everyone could hear the finality in his tone. "C'mon Kaitlyn, you can stay here tonight. I wouldn't want you going home with those two about." Mr. Duggar gestured towards the two suited men, who were busy observing the broken control panel on the ship's side with much intent. Kay smiled, her cheerful demeanor never faltering. Without another word, the four proceeded towards the hotel, ready to put the night behind them for the time being.
Nate's room was dark and silent as he finally retired for the night. So many questions filled the boy's mind about what had transpired, but one rose above them all, louder and fiercer. What was the gem he held in his hand? Nate stared at it, as if focus would reveal some secret about the curious stone. In the light of his room, Nate could make out some finer detail of the green fragment, but he was no closer to understanding it. For a moment, his mind hit upon Kay, sleeping in the living room just outside. He had not told her about the stone, or anyone for that matter. For now, it was his secret. Whatever 'it' was, of course. Nate let out a breath, he was exhausted. The stress of the evening had worn him out. He'd figure out the gem in the morning, he thought to himself before climbing into bed. The gem did not wait, it had other plans.
Nate did not know what time it was when he awoke, only that it was still night. Despite this, his room was filled with an intense glow. The piercing emerald light was coming from the gem on his dresser. Nate squinted, desperately trying to get a better look. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, Nate witnessed a most astonishing occurrence. The light of the gem seemed to warp and wave, shaping itself into a figure. Nate was mesmerized, scarcely believing what he was seeing. The figure was not much larger than Nate, and was fitted with some sort of skintight attire of uncertain texture, unlike anything Nate had ever seen. Most of its attire, as well as the figures skin, a least Nate presumed it was skin, was a pale green similar to the gemstone's color. Nate could actually see the gem, still present, fixed upon the being's forehead like some sort of headdress. Its hair was strange as well, a large triangular shape sitting on the entity's oblong head. Two shifty eyes peered out from behind its visor, taking in the surroundings. It locked eyes with Nate, clearly confused. Nate did not know what else to do, so he simply waved at the strange thing in front of him, desperately trying to process what had just happened.