Demons and an Angel
Chapter 2 - Welcome Home
A/N: To you readers, I have decided to continue the story. As I write further in, for I wanted it'd seem like I would have to reset at places, including for the lead character. But I thought the opening chapter would work as an out of nowhere event, something he was forced into, or was under a different mindset because of the situations he endured for so long, then suddenly his urge to restore his old self sets in as he is returned, and never realizing ''all" the lasting consequences of what happened.
My eyes open up to above.
For so long it has been leaves of the trees, the rocks of a damp cave, the stars of an unrecognizable night sky that my head looks up to. Either it was in Vietnam or on that game preserve planet there is the wild instinct to where you have to rest but never slumber into deep sleep, having to sleep up so to see around and above with less hassle, to keep your friends close whether it be your comrades or your metal piece weapon. What thrills of comfort it brings me that I see something as mundane and settling as white plaster on my bedroom ceiling. Sights of home are assurances to my eyes. I've been safe and secure enough to sleep like a log and can continue to safely slumber through the day as long as I want, naming the little blessings that must never be taken for granted.
How about the feeling, in bed with these sheets of cloth called blankets? Oh, what beautiful comfort this soft wool is. My head rested on the pillow I look out the window seeing that old lush conifer tree horizontally than vertically. I love walking through the coniferous forest. Then there is the other forest, the rain Can't wait to walk through my own trails I made trekking the forests. I don't need to go to park entrances at Elwha or Dosewallips in the Olympics, I got it literally a half-hour hike away to protect, guarantee never disturbed forests. No more worries. To relax finally from their wars or my wars will soon have me reconcile what life is.
As I take all the external goings on, there is this unusual after glow effect cruising through my body. The last time I felt that was the morning I had to leave for Vietnam. That last time solely with the most important person of my life. Her name is summoned.
Rosaline...I miss her so much.
When I can break my blissful slumber, I'm going to spend the whole day finding her and make amends with her. No doubt so much has changed in me in war and there's much to conciliate, but I'll do anything to change back for her. Can I? Right now all I'm doing is lying in bed rehabilitating with simple things such as the smell of this house's wood floor. Can I regain my affection for the whole people of my town, the state of Washington, my home planet?
Of course I can, the sun for instance. I feel that the star of which my own planet orbits is now emerging, always welcoming me to another day on Earth. But it's heat is oddly only partially radiating my back. I turn over to my other side to see why, but what should be the sun out the window is instead a larger humanoid mass under the covers with it's back to me, and it's dreadlocks.
Naturally I jumped, my body -more my arms, my legs are rather numb- pulsed into defense stance when my animal instincts turn on again. In combat, it's the proper condition to react on nerves than emotions. 'Cause later, then, do the memories and emotions come from before.
Oh, it's her. Dau—or something, what was it? My breathing slow with a sense of assurance returning, reminding me of the calm that came over last night. Calm? Is that the right word? Yes, I'd say I am more secure around this first female specimen I've ever seen than with all the males I had to kill, but having to sleep with it is not normal. I peak under the sheets to see her almost bare bottom. A loincloth unfortunately is penetrable.
I crawl out of bed to see her face again. I know well their crab-like face, their webbed outer jaw with a toothy lip-less interior, but what was exceptional about her?
My tired arms lift my body upright. Then in my first move to get my legs standing, my pelvis aches like hell. I lost my footing and dropped my ass hitting the wood floor. Groaning at the frustration than the pain -having had worst- I recuperate. Walking around the bed, I oversee her body under the sheets. Seeing her bare back, rough and scarred at places color tone not of any shade of human, a sprinkle of a few spots. Even looking down, she looks big. Seven and half feet I would imagine.
On the other side, I stumble rather gingerly lower myself down to my knees. So seeing her face was like it being literally thrown at me like a scare-jump in a horror film, only it wasn't horror or a film. It stuns me still now seeing her in daylight than moonlight. No hair for eyebrows, but a most distinctive brow ridge. Her rather orange colors are not as bright and threatening as what top breeding hunters go for, but that crescent head is fabulous. Those mandibles that were web to a unappealing mouth are even tucked in like bat wings. Neat, maybe cute making her look small chinned, even with no lips.
And those emerald eyes, were they really dreamy or was it my memory from a dream? She's sleeping with them shut now, I sure want to see them again to see their hypnotic power that must of overcome me last night. The one identifiable feature, most resembling of a sentient being in all their monstrosity.
Her hand is rough in texture, big and…dirty. Man, she left some dirty paw prints on the bed sheets. The carpet too. My side was also dirty too, standing over my body literally imprinted. Well gone for months no bath, what would you expect? Then I realize for the first time that my basic clothes are still on, and of course my pants unzipped and belt unbuckled.
At the foot of the mattress, there are two spots looking like they've been gouged out. Or clawed into by two large feet. She would be kneeling on the bed to do that. And her hands would be...Claw marks on the bed's headboard? Like the mark left by a grizzly bear. That would place me right under her doing the 'cowgirl.' That would explain my aching pelvis. Must have gotten insane last night. But was that good for me?
Daringly, I glide my hand over her hip. Feeling the curves as I would any lover, as I did with Rosaline on our final night. The flow is like any other female human. If I was blind I would find it mouth-watering the same as a hu- Don't ponder the 'if's' or 'maybe when blind.' She's an alien, you can see that.
I recollect my night of decisions I would not -had not- ruminated on enough. She saved me by means of instigation, returned me home in an instant it felt like. And for all that she did I am grateful for that. My part; I supposedly killed the ones responsible for killing her family, so she had lost love and must have been assaulted sexually. She's not the enemy nor should she be my lover.
This affair with Dau- whoever is not who I expect to celebrate my return home with. With Rosaline it felt right... Uncomplicated. It was nineteen months of all the occasions to talk to her, sharing experiences with her, whether it be hiking in the Olympics or our attempts at boating and our weekend at Seattle. This with 'Ms. Foreign-name' was a one-night stand where all she could summon were just a few basic words, meaning no impact, from her strictest, most limited English.
Scoffs. Should I teach her so she could talk to other humans as well? Yeah, that will get her off my back.
Now I gotta go wash up, get dressed, and... see what life throws at me next. I walk with my aching pelvis to check the closet. Good, extra sheets. Good, old clothes. I don't know if I'm in the mood for the bright colored ones that is. Too optimistic and fancy-free. I didn't feel like wearing them much after the Draft anyway. Though there's a question about my car. Is it still there? I wonder if I could take a shower and get dressed quick enough to get out of here before she wakes up? But there's my sympathetic side. I need to address things clear with her, how to function and do the right things during her temporary stay. Temporary.
Into the bathroom I limp. All the hygienics are at last in my reach. Toothbrush, floss, shampoo, etc. First thing I want out of all things is the mirror. I take off my shirt to inspect my body of scars and bruises. Taken a beaten by man, nature, and monster, but still in one piece. There were oddly some fresh ones up my chin, no more than a day old. Oh, yes, my attempt to kiss the jaw within the mandibles. Bold and stupid attempt, human. No need to unbuckle or unzip these pants, unfortunately one of us did it sooner. Off with my stained underwear, I see the skin of my pelvis bruised close to purple. No wonder it aches walking. How heavy was she?
Naked but safe, I feel secure enough to take a shower for the first time since I left port in Vietnam. Never should a soldier let his guard down or his clothes in combat, but never could I afford to even take a piss or a shit while always running from Predators. You know, taking off my shirt I realized, I wasn't even in combat uniform just dressed in service uniform upon departure, so that was a strike out for me and my man to be totally unsupplied.
Turning on the faucet, I welcome the barrage of water. Amazing clean, hot water cleansing me thoroughly. Not cold, rain that dampens you for days on end. My hands massage my muscles, warranted after their duty to save this soul. Combing my hair with shampoo has made it feel more free and flowing than I could remember. Rubbing on the skin takes off all the months of stool, chemical mixtures, dirt, and blood, if not all the memories. The conflicts amongst mankind, the mutilation of man by advanced species from beyond.
Scrubbing every inch as hard as I can, my hands wonder down to my genital and massage it gently feeling how laxed it was after work last night. Funny, how this morning is following a similar routine I had with every night experience with a girlfriend. Something triggered it that night, we sleep, then figure out what is going on. She's not like others who came before, just like nothing will be the same after.
No, I wish to return.
I hear big footsteps stepping from what is approximately my bed. They head towards the bathroom. Redirecting shower-head, I open curtains to see her standing out from my home settings like a sore thumb. Not only by her dirtiness, but her humanoid features. She sees my clothes on the floor and the water shower on my nakedness. Now suddenly she stairs at me finally face-to-face with her emerald eyes. So bright and foreign, they take my breath away to another, other planet.
She purrs stimulated. "Oh, boy." I uttered out loud but she pays no mind to it.
She unties her loincloth, her one dress ware, moves her dreads behind her shoulders revealing her breasts. Cup size c, I reckon. Oh, what a sight the female body shape is. She has all the characteristics of swimsuit model, a woman blemished with scars suits her physique, but her long sharps 'nails' and everything from the neck up...NO!
Return from relax back to tense. It's the same feeling I came over last night, but I'm still frightened. This is not right to me so I wasn't willing then. She, of course, must have seduced me, being on top of me. How did we bring it upstairs? It was her carrying me I bet. I do not want it again.
She is going to take her first step. Obviously stopping a seven and a half foot female with likely three times a human's strength won't be easy to be in wrestling. Don't need to, just push always a sign of might, being authority. But I can't reach her shoulders, but she's so high I'd aim instinctively at her…breasts and arouse the wrong emotions further again.
First giant clawed foot in. Observing her legs so close. As she was going to plant the next foot, having all her weight and balance on the other, she slips. Her massive frame slides down knocking me off my feet. Their impact is like a stomping horse. Crunched and aching my footing is lost and I landed with a thud on her chest.
YERP!
Yelped. She actually yelped. I never would have expected such an acute sound from these predators after hearing all their clamorous roars.
I chuckled at the irony. Now I'm on top this time. Now I'm in control to play with her. I was about to grab for her breasts, planning to plant kisses on her neck for my chance to have the advantage. Then it struck me that I done this to Rosaline before, shower and all. I am back and want to be settled as much to normal, but what about her? Earth is not home to her. And what about her insisting physical relationship? Got to stay neutral until I know my own bearings at home.
I withdrew from her and crouched to a fetal position on the other side, the sense of shame rebounding. What am I still doing? I'm back home, I should think about getting back with my family...and with Rosaline.
From what I can tell off just seeing the female predator's eye expressions, her muscles are flinching below and far side rather than from the brow as usual. Downward brows to center have always meant anger, hate, contempt as I always saw in predators, but opposite sides and wincing cheeks is like a hurt and confused girl trying to hold back her tears.
Is that what I really am able to see and read? Just through her emerald eyes? Or her large brow ridges?
She is really confused right now-
SLAM!
"What the…?" I get back up standing.
"Hello? Anyone up there?" Who'd ask that question in my house?
I ran out of the shower, giving myself a quick wipe with the towel. Can I change back into my clothes or go like this? Dignified or exposed? Back into the dirt? I don't think so! I hear footsteps ascend, can't let him see her and have that kind of exposure.
I must go down now and stop him. Wait, there is a bathrobe, much better.
I step up to the top of stairs, trying to look as dignifying in a bathrobe, "Yes? Who's in my house?"
"Your house? Sir, I..." He stopped to take a scrutinizing look. "Oh, my God, it's you."
"Yes, it's me, Ryan. And you?" Only potent memories of my old life have really come clear in war. He was not one of them.
"I'm Frank. You know, your old elementary school principal?" Reason self-explained.
"Of course I know you, but why are you suddenly principal of my house?" I humored him to warm up to him. He lightly chuckled, not wholeheartedly by the fact I'm here.
"I was assigned as the caretaker of the house while you were gone."
The bathroom still to my right, I glanced in. She's still staring at me. Upset I can tell by her piercing green eyes. She positions her hands ready to get up. She's not waiting.
I guide Frank down the steps, though my feet ache. "I guess that would make you the janitor instead."
"Oh, not if I catch kids playing too close near by." His humor now sinking in and realized. "But, gosh, you came back without a word, in fact late by abou-"
"Well, go send the word that I'm back."
"Can't we have coffee first? I'd like to hear your stories now."
"Honestly, while in my bathrobe?" Though that offer made my eyes wonder into the kitchen to look at the calender. I try to naturally carry the conversation over there, walking now from the stairs, around through the dining room -not the living room- to the kitchen. "Seriously a soldier..."
Date: October 5, 1968
My ship left on April 20th. Still same year, but my God, over five months I was gone. I was fixated on that date until Frank continued, unaware of my stunned stare at the calender.
"I have to admit if I had known that you would be here I'd expect you in worn, torn uniform."
"Come 10 minutes sooner you would have seen that." And more… "But still I think the honor should be for my parents first."
"Alright, I'll get them, and your college buddies too."
"Whatever." A full-throttle back to old life is something I would like, please. Speaking of which... "How's Rosaline?"
"She's doing fine. Has found a better job than a waitress, and is working on a relationship, if that's its progress."
Oh, getting comfortable and doing well for herself without me. Suddenly my twisted imagination has me going 'Ha, you got a new fuckbuddy while you were alone? Well look what I picked up!' How often do I appear to be senseless to Frank here? "Alright, tell her too. You know what, make it a public announcement." A full-throttle back to old life is something I would like, I state again. Keep her away.
"Hey, Brinnon, Washington is just 500 people, you're big news without needing the headlines. But sure I'll spread the word. And also, I do want to hear the story behind your souvenirs."
That comment immediately nodged me the wrong way. "What souvenirs?"
"You know that mask and disc-like blade weapon that you brought home."
Coldness blew me over me. Not from any breeze that may have so happen to blown in through some open window upon my wet body, but stupefied by the revelation that some artifacts from a place no one could conceive of, was in sight of this chubby, old man.
This secret, the greatest and hardest to bear in my life, will bust wide open... unless I should answer him falsely. Fake simile. "Oh, those; I bought them from an antiquity shop."
"I almost expected them to be trophies. Like you were fighting tribes rather than 'gorillas.' In fact, by the bloodstain I would assume the Commies weren't human." Drat, the blood! "Anyway, I'll be there with your parents to hear the story."
"Take...your...time..." I said in a near daze of overwhelming befuddlement. Nice job, Ms. Foreign-Name.
Frank walks out the door, I follow him to the porch to see that he leaves. All the while I'm seeing the old, safer if not safe, forests of home. Let a bear come and eat me now. I would let that predator do it now actually.
His Chevy is parked in front of the stairs waiting on the driveway turn-around. He ignites the engine and cruises down the long straight, narrow road, the clear-cut serving as a canyon in the vast coniferous forest. Watching every minute until that car is speck, then no more.
The word is out.
Welcome home, Ryan.
A/N: Seriously that's just a third of his problems so far. I'm working on so many other things that I feel obligated to get done all at the same time. The final touches were harder this last week than the past few months. All I can say now is that updates will likely be very infrequent.
Have some kind of foundation for at least three more chapters and know fairly well what course to take. All I can say is I'm trying to shed some new light, bring some new perspective into motivations from the familiar list of recurring characters in the franchise(s).
P.S. Q: Why Brinnon, Washington? A: Opposite of Twilight in terms of quality and location.