Chapter IV: Seclusion

I wake up feeling the smooth, leathery skin that could only belong to that of a xenomorph wrapped around me. Looking up, I see Anubis, still sleeping.

Surprised that I hadn't woken him up, I move slightly, which only led to him tightening his grip. Had this been another person I probably would've laughed and called it cute but he was literally crushing me.

"A-Anubis...c...rushing….m-me…" I grunt and Anubis awakens with a start, looking down at me confused, then he lets go.

'Apologies.' he grins. "Jesus, you're like a fucking boa constrictor." I stand up and stretch out, hearing a few joints crack back into place as I shudder.

Suddenly I remember where we were and then look around. The room was dim, and I could tell where everything was, the ceiling, the exit, my backpack, and the glow stick in which had long fizzled out by now.

So how could I see so clearly? It was like watching a cartoon where the character is in a dark room and you know they can't see anything but you can still make out everything in the room just for the sake of the show.

At first I just figured it was my eyes adjusting but it was ridiculous how well I could see, especially for being underground with there being no light source whatsoever.

'Knox. Knox. Knox? Knox!' I finally hear and I turn my head staring at Anubis who'd crawled next to me sniffing me. "What?" I asked confused.

'Are you okay? You've been looking around the room like an idiot for a few minutes now.' I shake my head. "I-I don't know, it's like...I couldn't see anything last night but now I can see almost clear as day." I explain, he tilts his head.

'Intriguing...' he says standing at his full height now.

"Whatever, probably just my eyes adjusting now that I think of it, being shrouded in complete darkness for hours at a time and then waking up to darkness again. Speaking of, what time is it now?" I ask partially to myself.

I pull my phone out and turn it on, a blast of white light exploding onto my face. I turn it off blinking.

"Alright, so that isn't happening." I walk over to my backpack and fish around for the watch from the 90s that I'd bought at a pawn shop. When I find it I squint at it, barely making out the 9:47 it displayed.

So my natural alarm didn't seem to be thrown off at all.

I grab my stomach when it suddenly grumbles.

"Ugh, I gotta get something to eat." I start towards the crack in the wall but Anubis stops me with his tail wrapping around my midsection.

He jumps in front of me hissing, causing me to fall backwards. "Woah! What the hell is your deal!?" I say, his tail still wrapped around my stomach.

'Its not safe yet, we have to stay underground for the next few days.'

I could see his point, for whatever reason, I was probably the most wanted man in Florida right now.

"Yeah...I guess you're right." I sit down frowning. "I'm going to go crazy cooped up in here." I mumble.

'At least you have me, huh?' He crawls towards me brushing his elongated head past my arm, I inch away from him.

"That doesn't make me feel any better," I say rubbing my arm slightly.

'Oh come on, you're such a killjoy, you need to learn to loosen up a bit more.' He cooes next to my ear.

"Yeah well it's a bit challenging to do that when I'm stuck 100 feet underground in a dark cave with nothing but a cannibalistic monster to accompany me."

'I see your point, but you really do have nothing to fear. Any other one of my kind would have tore you apart by now. I've bedded you.' His arms wrap around my waist and I shudder.

He sits me on his lap purring. I try to ignore it by asking a question, mostly just me thinking aloud.

"What do I do when I start to starve?" Anubis tilts his head and then grins setting me down as he crawls off, I hear a momentary screeching and splatter and then he comes back holding a dead rat in his hand.

"You're kidding."

Later

My face burns as I puke into the blackness of the river of scum and excrement, the nearby sewer line which the subway system was connected to by natural tunnels had been easy to find by smell, but it also unnerved me that we were so close to civilization.

Anubis reassured me that there wasn't a manhole for miles, how he knew that, I didn't know but I just went with it.

I lean back up, sitting on my knees and wiping my mouth, I look over my shoulder at Anubis, who leaned against the wall inspecting his claws with a knowing smirk.

"Fuck you." I grumble as I walk back towards the tunnel leading to the abandoned subway system but suddenly I'm lifted into the air and slammed into the wall roughly.

'What was that?' Anubis challenges and I struggle in his grip.

"Anubis...l-let me go...this hurts." I plead, but he doesn't let off.

'You know, I do quite fancy you squirming like that in my grasp, completely helpless to do anything.'

Suddenly my foot hits him in the chin and he drops me, and I run back towards the cave, not knowing what else to do as those words had overwhelmed me.

I run away from Anubis, a sickening urge to place myself as far away from him as possible washing over me, I breath heavily, turning a few corners until I run out of breath and lean against a wall heaving.

The heavy breathing turns into choppy exhales as I start to sob, sliding down the wall slowly as I bury my face in my hands, as if I were just now realizing the full extent of my situation. I didn't even have to look up to know that Anubis was sitting there watching.

"I'm going to die down here in this dark pit, all alone, and you're going to feast on my dead corpse.." I say, in hysterics at this point. Anubis growls.

'Knox, don't be ridiculous I'm not-'

"Stop lying! This is just a part of your sick game! Keep me around until I'm of no more entertainment, and then you'll just eat me when you've finally killed me!" I say, slamming my fists on the ground.

Anubis approaches, more gentle this time.

'Knox, I'm not going to harm you. We're partners, remember?' I look up to stare at him, a reassuring smile on his face.

Suddenly I latch onto him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, him being taken aback at first, but then he hugs back, his tail wrapping around both of us.

'Let's get back to the cave, yes?' He says, and I nod, him picking me up and running me back to the cave, keeping me close to his chest.

Later

I sit on Anubis' lap, listening to the rain hit the streets above us, thinking to myself as Anubis plays with my hair contently.

"You don't think the cave will flood do you?" I ask him, looking up over my shoulder at him to see him shake his head.

'These cave systems would have long since been submerged if they could be flooded.' He says, playing with my hair still, which gets me thinking again.

"It will be strange leaving the caves to see my reflection once more….I wonder how different I will look." I say, bringing my hand to my cheek.

'I think you look ravishing.' Anubis voices his opinion and I feel my cheeks light up as I grin. "Flatterer." I say and he only smirks, nuzzling his head next to mine.

About an hour once more and I feel the grip of sleep start to take effect, Anubis having positioned himself so that I might yet be more comfortable laying on him.

I frown to myself and I can tell that Anubis senses something is wrong because he shifts slightly.

'What's wrong?'

"It's just…." I sigh looking up at the ceiling of the cave. "God….there isn't a human up there that's willing to help me is there...who knows what rumours those fucking people are spreading about me. I bet they payed Rachel off and she's living on a beach right now with her disgusting boyfriend."

Anubis growls at this. 'I'll kill every last one of them if I have to.' I look up at Anubis, grinning at how serious he looked. He looked down at me.

'What?'

I only chuckle, shaking my head. "Thanks Anubis." I act like I was comfortable now, starting to fall asleep once more.

Anubis

Anubis hadn't fallen asleep, He didn't need to. But the boy did, his boy. So Anubis let him, stroking his hair and skin while he slept, making sure he was safe and that no one would attempt to maim him. Or worse, take him from Anubis.

No, he would never let them take Knox from him. Ever. He would die before that happened. As he grew more agitated he didn't seem to realize that his hands had gone under Knox's shirt feeling around against that soft, warm skin.

Instinct seemed to take over as the small human boy in his arms squirmed slightly in his sleep. "Shh…" Anubis purred as he thought silently to himself. He would rip those damned humans apart, bring their heads to Knox as trophies. Oh he would be so pleased…

By now his leathery hands had gone to more dishonorable places as his fingers slid under the hem of his jeans, feeling around suspiciously. Unbeknownst to Anubis, he had started salivating on the human, the translucent liquid dripping onto his shoulder.

Anubis would show everyone that Knox was his, yes. A simple mark would do. A small marking couldn't hurt the boy. Slowly, he leaned down, his inner jaw sliding out of his mouth and grazing Knox's neck slightly.

After smelling him thoroughly, Anubis planted his jaw on Knox's neck and sucked slightly, careful not to simply rip his throat out. But this wouldn't do, his mark wasn't made yet. He had to use more force.

Anubis knew Knox wouldn't like this but it had to be done. It was imperative that Knox had his mark, everyone needed to know. Knox was his.

The boy was writhing and squirming now, but this was a necessary evil. He needed to be marked…

Knox

I awoke feeling like the largest leech on Earth had attached itself to my neck. Although this leech wasn't from Earth I realized as I see Anubis' long head in my peripherals, as well as his arms wrapped around me under my shirt.

"Anubis? What….what are you doing? Stop, you're hurting me! Fuck! Ow-OW!" I yelled out as I tried to pull away, only making the pain worse. I could feel the blood leaking from my neck now as I realized that whatever he thought he was doing, he wasn't. Because this was feeding, and he was doing it slowly.

"Anubis you're hurting me-STOP!" I managed to make him falter a minute as he released me, still holding on around my waist loosely. I kick away from him, holding my arm up defensively as he stares, obviously confused.

'You need to be marked Knox….I know it hurts but it has to be done.' He says, slowly creeping towards me.

"M-Marked? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?! Is that what you call giving me a death hickie? Listen, Anubis, you're not yourself right now, you need to calm down. I don't know if it's Xenomorph puberty, or-or what the fuck ever, just leave me alone with your marking bullshit!" I crawl backwards towards the exit to the cave, but he knew exactly what I was doing and grabbed my thigh, pulling me closer to him. He growled now, grabbing my other leg with his other hand and pushed both of my legs out.

'You think you're in control here Knox? You think that you get to tell me what to do, that you're the boss of me? I could tear you to pieces and go on with my day without looking twice. You're lucky I find your features too appealing to do that.' Anubis was thoroughly scaring me now, his inner jaw having popped out again, grazing my face as I turn away trembling.

"Anubis...please...stop...I-I thought we were….friends...y-you can't do this." Anubis' hand grabbed at the hem of my jeans now, growling animalistically. 'You don't have a say in what I do anymore, boy.' He says darkly as his inner jaw latches onto my neck again and I scream in pain as he wrestles at my pants.

I slap and smack at him, trying to push him away but to no avail. That changes quickly however as suddenly the room flashes the brightest white possible, and a loud bang is heard. This would've been enough for any normal pair of eyes but mine had been drowned in darkness for days now. I yell out in pain clutching my face, not even registering that Anubis' touch had left me. I couldn't see anything for the moment, my hearing started to come back however, so that was a good sign.

My eyes were shut for now, so I had to get around by hearing until I got to the darker reaches of the subway system. I could hear Anubis' growling and yelling somewhere far off, as well as gunshots, and there didn't seem to be anyone near me right now.

Suddenly I tripped over something soft and held my hands out, bracing myself on a warm liquid, suddenly realizing what I'd fallen on.

Well.

At least there wasn't anyone alive near me right now.

I walk out of the cave through the space in the wall that had apparently been blown open from whatever military outfit was attacking us. I turn right, feeling along the wall so that I don't stumble as I open my eyes slightly. I was probably blind, but I wouldn't be able to tell because it's dark as all hell down here anyways.

I hear yelling and hissing and shooting every so often but I don't walk near it. I needed to get out of these damn caves. Soon enough my impeccable vision did come back, and I was able to see everything better than before even. Strange.

I break into a run now, realizing that I was getting closer to where the dead bodies were centralized. Which meant Anubis was close by as well, I didn't know what I'd do if I ever saw his face again but I couldn't turn back now. I could only hope that I'd find an exit, and soon.

It was now that I'd lost my only friend through this that I realized how utterly alone I was. Thoughts of how I was going to have to live in the run now. Seclusion indefinitely, until I got to the bottom of this.

And now that I had a clue, I was one step closer to doing so, and finally solving this madness. Pulling the piece of fabric that I'd ripped off one of the arms of the fallen intruders out of my pocket, I crease my brow, staring at the logo, pondering what Weyland-Yutani had to do with this.

I'm yanked away from all of that when I hear footsteps, but not from a human, no. I had the feeling I was the only alive human down here by now. It was Anubis for sure, he could smell me.

'Knoooox….come out come out….those nasty men are gone, we can continue on with our quiet time now, hm?' Not a chance in hell that would happen. Not now at least when Anubis wasn't in his right mind.

I look around quickly, long corridors on either side. Then I look down at the stream of sewage sighing. I wish I could say this would be the first time I would dive into shit and piss.

Later

I'd managed to lose Anubis by shaking my scent off in the murky depths of the sewage stream, only downside being that I smelled like every repugnant smell known to man. Stepping out of the stream, I look around again and, my eyes being as sensitive as they were, spotted the nearest sliver of light and I looked in the direction of it.

There was a ladder, leading up to civilization once more. Of course there was always the possibility that the men who were sent to kidnap/kill us had come down through it but I was swimming long enough in that shitty stream to risk it.

Looking upwards, a small hole was cut in the metal of the manhole cover, and it looked like a streetlight was on up above. Good, that meant it was nighttime, and gave my eyes some time to adjust.

Quickly, I climb up, eager to finally get topside again. When I reached the last rung, I push up against the manhole cover and slide it over, pulling myself up and looking around. I was at a crossroads, the moon high in the sky. It was midnight.

The place was deserted, obviously, probably the one lone manhole cover for miles. I guess I'd gotten lucky. I looked at a sign, squinting slightly for the light bouncing off of it was kind of annoying, but I managed to make out what it said.

'Everglades National Park: North Branch'

Perfect. At least now I'd be able to get this reeking stench off of me.

A little while later after trudging through marsh I'd managed to find a relatively fresh water pond free of crocodiles and other hazardous wildlife. After an awkward stop at a gas station down the road from the preserve to get myself some fresh clothing, I found a secluded area in the woods where I could bathe myself silently.

I sunk down into the freezing pond, laying my back on the grass that coiled over into the pond slightly, it providing for a nice cushion. It was nice to finally be able to see normally. And to bathe for that matter, too bad this water was so damn cold.

I brought myself back to reality when I heard a twig snap. Immediately I sink my body low into the pond, sliding backwards under the overhanging roots and grass from above me, my body sinking into the mud.

I knew it was Anubis, it had to be. Besides, who else could it have been, he probably grew tired of the sewers after having to frantically search for me and came up here to look for me. I could only hope to god I still smelled bad enough that he wouldn't be able to recognize my scent.

I shut my eyes praying to every great power I knew of that it wasn't him. And then I open them, almost chuckling at my own sorry self.

Here I was, ass naked in some farm in a remote area of the Everglades, probably scared of some deer or small animal scavenging for food in the forest, just trying to get by. And my paranoid self is blowing it all out of proportion because of the situation I've been put into.

I almost stood up. Almost.

And that's probably what saved my life because right at that moment, a humanoid figure appeared in the woods across the pond from me, out of thin air.

I sit there, my heart nearly stopping for I could see what it was doing, a crocodile, yes, it had a crocodile in its right hand. It was….holding a...what-800, 900 pound American crocodile in its bare hand?

But what it did next was even more worse, no, more horrifying.

It pulled the skull from its head, and threw the body aside, just like that.

I think I peed a little bit.

And now, I was too preoccupied with the perfect, unscratched crocodile skull that I hadn't realized that this creature, this...Predator, was staring straight at me.