Ben woke up early the next day and threw on his jacket. The same jacket with many holes and tears in it.
"I have to go back. Maybe I'll have better luck today," Ben said, now walking out into the chilly cold. It took him a while, but he finally made it back to the creepy, but very fancy exotic alien pet shop.
As he slowly peered inside the door, Ben looked and was met with a series of growls, hisses, and groans. His eyes popped open wide as he looked at all of the aliens looking at him. Wanting to see them all, he put his bag on the floor and starting looking around.
There was a Tetramand in a large glass case. It was made of the strongest glass in the galaxy, but just to make sure he didn't escape, he had ankle chains on. The Tetramand looked at him with curiosity and placed a hand on the window. Ben shyly walked over and smiled.
"H-Hi!" Ben said.
The Tetramand only stared. Not sure of what Ben was saying. Not every alien knew the English language so he was unsure of what Ben said.
"I-I'm Ben," Ben said, trying to introduce himself. The Tetramand only looked away and sadly walked away, not understanding what the young human was saying. Ben hung his head and walked to the next alien cage. He could only see a pair of eyes looking at him.
"H-Hello?" Ben asked. But he didn't have time to say anything as a large animal ran up to the bars and roared at him! It was an Appoplexian and he definitely was not happy to see Ben! He snarled and roared, making Ben scream and run back in horror.
The store owner ran out and saw Ben hurrying away from the cage, tears in his eyes. He caught him by his shoulders and hugged him.
"Easy son, easy! I told you that you wouldn't find a good pet here! These aliens are just not a good fit for you!" the owner said, now gently making Ben look at him. "Now calm down there little one. This is the second time I've seen you and I still don't know your name.
"B-B-B-B-Ben." Ben said, shaking.
"Nice to meet you Ben. I am Mr. Plum," he said, now slowly letting Ben go. "I will be leaving for lunch soon. How about you going on home and getting some rest huh?"
After a few minutes, Ben stopped shaking and nodded his head.
"I-I agree. I shouldn't have come back. I'll leave as soon as I get my bag," Ben said, now hurrying back to grab his bag. But he gasped as he saw that his bag had slowly moved.
It moved right next to the cages at the front of the store! "Oh no!" he whispered in horror.
He needed that bag! It had the last of his money in there and his last blanket! Desperate, Ben got closer and saw a large alien claw emerge from the darkness. The movement made Ben scream and he fell down on the floor! The hand paused and appeared to be waiting for Ben to approach again. Ben then stared as the being's claws began drumming on the floor, showing it was waiting.
"I-I'm not coming! L-Leave me alone!" Ben pleaded, but yelled in shock as the clawed hand then grasped his bag and was trying to pull it in between the bars! "HEY! STOP THAT!"
At that moment, Ben had a burst of courage and he ran to grab his bag back! But as he began pulling he was soon pulled to the bars and he was right in front of the green eyes once more! The eyes stared at him even harder and within seconds, the being let go of the bag but continued to stare at Ben.
"W-What kind of alien are you?!" Ben whispered out.
"One that is interested in you human boy." came a soothing response.
"Y-You can talk?!" Ben squeaked out.
"Of course I am capable of speech, human child." said the quiet voice.
"No I mean English! The others can't understand me!" Ben said.
"That is because they are not like me," the being responded. "You appear so tense. Why not have a seat?"
And with that, Ben felt something gently push behind him. He turned and saw a chair was there that had not been there before!
"H-How?!" Ben said in shock.
"Now then…what brings you here human child? Or would you prefer I call you…Ben?" the alien asked, now coming forward where Ben could see his large black muscles, black mask, and greens eyes. He had pure white sharp teeth and fangs! And he also had a golden collar on his neck; it appeared like it was put there by the store to keep track of his actions. He was unlike any alien Ben had ever seen!
"How did you know my name?! W-W-What are you?!" Ben said, his mouth hanging open.
"I am from an extinct race of alien. I am a Vladat!" he said, now keeping himself low, trying not to frighten Ben.
"Wow! You're-you're unlike any alien I've ever seen!" Ben said, his fascination growing. But he stopped short as he saw a pair of red eyes looking from the nearby cage. He then remembered what Mr. Plum said about these aliens being too expensive and that he could never afford them. That made Ben look saddened and he looked down.
"Now what has you down, young Ben?" the Vladat soothed, now easing closer to the bars.
"I-I just…I don't know…" Ben said, now standing. "I've got to go."
"I see. Well good-bye young human. Do come and visit me again," came the gentle reply.
"Y-You want me to come back?" Ben asked hopefully.
But Ben was shocked as the alien got closer to the bars and gave him a smirk. "Of course, human."
Ben smiled in joy and got to his feet, grabbing his bag and running outside! He was definitely going to return. Once he was gone, a deep voice cooed from the darkness.
"You know that humans are simply worthless and are dangerous to all alien kind. When he gives you what you want, what will you do with him?" came the hissed voice.
"What I do to all humans…" the Vladat said, now sitting back and letting his eyes glow in the darkness.
guestsurprise: Uh oh! What's going to happen?! Valentine's day was so wonderful I had to give you another chapter to this story!