I crossed my arms over my chest and nearly ran to my room. I almost bumped into a few interns, but they knew well enough to stay out of my way.

I fumbled around in my pocket for the key, and tried calming myself to avoid getting unwanted attention. I took a quick look around me to make sure no one was following before flying inside my room and slamming the door shut behind me.

Mommy!

I didn't have time to turn before something rubbed up against my back. I could feel the slime soaking through my lab coat the harder she pressed into my side.

I missed you, Mommy! She gurgled happily.

It was then that I finally turned to see her. I gasped at high much she'd grown in the short amount of time. She was no longer the dog-sized creature I'd left this morning. In fact, her shoulder was right at my eye level.

Her exoskeleton had become more intricate with natural designs and dips, giving her the biomechanical-like appearance that was the trademark of the xenomorphs.

"I missed you too." I wrapped myself around her head, ignoring all the slime that stuck to my body. Believe it or not, the slime isn't actually that bad.

Don't leave again, Mommy. Stay with me. I sighed and brought her face in front of mine. I can't.

She hissed sadly, letting out a soft moan.

Why not!?

I kissed the top of her head, ignoring again, the slime, which by the way, was easy. "Shh… It'll be alright."

Why-

The thought was cut off when a loud banging echoed behind me.

Someone was knocking at my door, and I'd forgotten to lock it.

"Hey, Cassie! You in there?" Of course Brandon had followed me.

Flaitheas hissed and wrapped her tail around my waist. Quiet! He can't know you're here!

She whimpered and crouched down, ashamed.

"What the hell was that?"

Panic swept through me. Flaitheas was seconds away from being exposed, and I couldn't hide her anywhere in time.

However, she seemed to understand the situation, and crawled up the side of the room to the ceiling, where she stopped, and froze. If I hadn't known she was there, you could say she was invisible. Her exoskeleton, save a few parts that reflected the light, blended in with their surroundings.

Before I could even have a chance to awe at how motionless she was, my door was opened. "You run fast, you know that?" Brandon chuckled.

I didn't respond. I just watched him with crossed arms, and stern expression.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You barged into my room without permission, and expect me to welcome you?"

"What's with the hostility? A few days ago, you would've begged for me to do this."

"Well, times change, Brandon. Get used to it. Now leave."

He didn't seem to hear me, and took a few steps closer. "Come on, Cass. What's wrong with you?"

"I've… I've just had time to think things through is all."

He rose an eyebrow. "You mean about xenomorphs?"

I nodded, feeling Flaitheas mentally try to comfort me.

He sighed, somewhat angrily, "Cassie, for the last time, they're killers. Not only that, but they can't be tamed. We've tried. They're nothing but savage beasts who take orders from their queen!"

Before any more could be said, the alarms went off, and the lights flashed to red, sending the room into an eerie maroon haze.

"This is an emergency! Everyone must report to their respective panic rooms! You will be briefed about the situation there!"

I jumped at the voice. "Come on, Cassie." Brandon grabbed my arm, and pulled me to the door.

Immediately, intense pain radiated through my chest from the stitches being further irritated.

Mommy!

I choked on my words as I sunk to my knees. Flaitheas may have healed me somewhat this morning, but the stitches were still being stretched when Brandon pulled my arm. "Cassie!?" He gasped. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, still unable to make any words. Flaitheas hissed above us.

Brandon stumbled back a few steps as her form made its way to the ground. "A x-xenomorph!" He squeaked. I would've laughed at how he sounded if it didn't hurt at the moment.

Without even giving me another glance, he ran out of the room. Thanks, Brandon. Glad to know I can count on you. I rolled my eyes.

Mommy's safe now. She rubbed her head against my cheek with a purr. Bad man's gone.

I made sure I could take a deep breath without hurting myself, before getting back to my feet. "You're going to have to hide. They're going to come for you." I breathed.

No. I stay with you.

She was trying to force the thought on me, but I easily shook her off. "Go into the vents. They won't look there. At least not at first."

Flaitheas growled in displeasure, and snapped her jaws together. It was clear she was trying to scare me into changing my mind, but she only reminded me of an angry kitten. Even though she was trying to look more threatening, I knew she wouldn't hurt me.

The red alarm flashed again, with it's message repeating.

"Get into the vents. Now." I commanded.

She bent down to all fours with a hiss.

Now, Flaitheas!

Squealing and thrashing her tail around, she eventually did as told, forcing her way into the vents through the overhead fans.

After she was out of sight, I finally listened to the alarm and nearly jogged to the panic room. The room isn't as small as you think it would be. It's a little bigger than a normal classroom would be.

I rounded the next corner, only to find soldiers running past me. Their guns were pointed to the floor, but they were ready to fire. I didn't even know we had guns on site. Let alone soldiers prepared to fight.

Bad people. Flaitheas murmured. They want to hurt me.

I could almost feel her shivering, alone in the air ducts.

From there, I moved faster. My heart was hammering in my chest, and I needed to calm down.

The room came into my line of sight, and I sprinted. Probably wouldn't help my heart rate, but I didn't care.

"Cassie?!" Brandon yelled as I entered the room. "Wha-? But-! How did you get away!? It was right behind you!"

The other people in the room turned to look at me. By the looks of terror, Brandon had told them what he saw.

I ignored the stares as I found the nearest chair. "I ran for it." I panted. In this case, I wasn't exactly lying.

"You were impregnated… weren't you…" He swallowed. The group of people backed away as if I had a disease.

"No! I wasn't-!" I gasped as I sat in the chair. My heart rate was still increasing, and now it was beating relentlessly against my chest. The stitches burned at every thump.

Calm down! Flaitheas whined.

"I knew it! That's what been making act crazy all day!" Brandon shouted. Without giving me time to retaliate, he forced me to my feet.

"Ack!-" I choked and held my hands against my chest. Mommy! Flaitheas screeched.

Brandon and the others backed away immediately. "It's happening, isn't it!?" One of them screamed. "We're all dead!"

"All of you, shut up!" I hissed through my teeth. They crowded closer together in the farthest corner.

"I don't have one of them inside me. I promise you that." Though I was taking deep breaths, I couldn't calm my heart. Instead of slowing it down, it only seemed to speed up.

It occurred to me that it wasn't because I was getting worked up, but probably something to do with the queen. If we're connected to one another, then she must have some sort of influence on my body, aside from her thoughts.

Her heart is most likely causing my own to follow.

"Dammit, Cassie! This isn't something you can ignore!"

I growled under my breath. "Idiots. You won't listen, will you?"

We all flinched at the sudden flurry of shots that sounded from down the hall. "You mother fu-!" A man's yell cut off with a scream.

Flaitheas! You have to stay hidden or you're going to get hurt!

She responded with snort. No. I keep you safe first.

I hit my fist against the wall. Goddammit, Flaitheas! Stay in the vents!

NO! I- Her thoughts cut off from there.

Another round was heard, though, this time, I felt a shot of pain through my leg. I had to support myself by pressing my back on the wall.

"What the hell is going on!?" Brandon demanded.

I blocked him out of my mind and tried to focus. When I couldn't I shook my head, and shut my eyes tight.

Flaitheas? What happened? Are you alright?"

The deafening silence of her reply was almost heartbreaking. She had to be okay. There's no way she could be-… NO! Don't think like that!

M…Mommy! Not only did I hear the wail in my head, but there was an even louder, higher pitch whine echoing down the halls.

"I-It's a xenomorph!" Selene, along with some other colleagues held onto one another as if they were the last thing that held them to reality.

"We're fucked." Brandon breathed.

Again, I ignored them, and paid all my attention on Flaitheas.

What's wrong? What happened? I tried to provide her comfort through soothing thoughts.

She let out another whine, once again reaching my ears.

M-my leg h-hurts, Mommy!

I tightened my grip on my leg, finally understanding why it was stinging now.

There's more coming!

I knew with a wounded leg, she wouldn't be able to climb, so the vents were a risk for her now. I took a quick glance around the room at my colleagues. More than half were huddled in the corner, while a few, like Brandon, had taken to sliding down to the ground in a ball. All of them were scared. That part was obvious.

I assessed the situation as fast as I could. If I brought the queen here then she'd be safe for at least a while longer while she healed, but it would scare the people further, most likely making them run.

Can you find your way to me?

She hummed, Yes.

I pushed myself off the wall, and stayed by the door, waiting for her to come.