Rae resisted rolling her eyes after hearing what felt like the hundredth growl. He was uncomfortable that much was certain, but there was very little she could do about it. He was just not meant to sit in a car, let alone lie down in one. She had given him a blanket and the heat was on, so unless she got home, that's all she could do as far as comfort.

Then again. Her eyes brightened suddenly as her idea took root in her mind. "Hey," she quickly looked back, only to be reminded of the ugly tarp. "Do you want to listen to some music?"

A more defined growl, hinted at his answer.

She ignored it. As far as Rae was concerned, she needed this more than he did, and that was enough incentive for her. She pressed the dial to the radio, smiling as a familiar tune filled the car.

"Ooooooooh, I'm drowning in the niiiiiiight."

Like a giant sea creature about to send its body crashing into the ocean depths, his pent-up anger finally breached the surface; his unbridled roar boomed inside the cramped space, threatening to shatter the windows. The female was so panic-stricken by his thunderous sound of rage, she almost swerved into the oncoming lane. She was not pleased.

"Alright!" she hollered, harshly cutting off the music.

"Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I—"

"Gosh," she huffed in annoyance. "It's not my fault they don't make cars for someone of your size!" When she checked her side mirror, she immediately winced, her face contorting in pain as her head turned ever so slightly; her ears were still ringing from the offensive sound. "Don't you ever do that again, especially here." When I'm forced to sit in front of you, she almost added. She was already suffering with a headache from the head trauma she received the other day, this only added to it. She again wondered why she bothered to even help.

As the car tires ran over a raised metal strip, she heard his deep inhuman groan.

It was going to be a very long ride home.

Before they crossed over New Hampshire's border, Rae managed to pull over at an old abandoned gas station, hiding the vehicle behind the moss covered building.

She left the car running as she swung her door open and stepped out into the bitter cold. The alien growled as he shifted uneasily, jolting the car. Sighing, Rae held down a button on her ajar door, causing the backseat window to roll down. The alien went stiff, remaining perfectly still at the new movement. His reaction was gold. She held her amused grin and peeked her head inside, "Bet you didn't know it could do that, huh?"

He growled, his arms folded, biceps taut, and looking about as intimidating as he could probably get sitting like a toddler trapped in his car seat. Then much to her amusement, in a dramatic display of clear annoyance, he snapped his head away from her, flicking his dreads in the process.

Such attitude, she shook her head. "Listen, it's going to be a couple more hours until we get there, but…" she shifted uncomfortably, "if you need to uh… you know, get out and use the bathroom, now is probably the best time to do it."

Ever slowly the lenses of his mask turned back in her direction.

Rae hoped to God his answer was no. She didn't need to add alien anatomy to the list of things she was forced to see in her young life.

Then instantly, he unleashed a fierce roar that sent her scrambling back, almost slipping on an ice patch. She had to pinwheel her arms to regain balance. When she did, she returned his scowl.

"Fine!" she yelled, trudging off. She was honestly relieved she didn't have to help.

Walking to the back of the car, she lifted the cargo door with an automated beep. Her eyes flicked to the growling male that watched her intently from over the tops of the headrests. Once fully open, she slipped her hand into one of the side compartments and pulled out a screwdriver and two Maine license plates before closing it again, purposely avoiding his heated gaze.

Rae had spent years doing this, constantly covering over her tracks, pretending to be one name from one place or another. Some might call her actions paranoia, (or just plain illegal), but Rae liked to think of it as being extra cautious. She was practically living the life of a fugitive. It's not like she could actively walk around announcing who or what she really was without repercussions.

Although Naomi was her best friend, not even she knew of her abilities. Rae only partially let her walls down around her, giving only snippets of truth. Naomi believed she was the victim of an attack by a law enforcer, which led her to relocating with a fake name. They never met at her home and she only used a cell that would be swapped for a new one every six months, and Rae made sure her number was changed frequently. This coverup made it easier to explain to Naomi her lack of social life and her anxiety of sharing anything too personal, blaming it on PTSD. And being the amazing person her best friend was, Naomi never questioned it.

Truthfully, it ate at her, not being able to tell the only stable person in her life what her real story was, how she wasn't really a victim of attack, at least not in the way Naomi perceived, but instead, a sick science project wishing to be free from her cage. She wanted to tell her everything, from when she was small and frail, to when the injections began. How perfect everything was for that short period of time, to when everything went horribly wrong. And yet, deep down she knew that if she did let even a little bit slip, she would compromise not only her safety, but that of her friend.

For that reason, Rae made a solemn oath to not let anything happen to those closest to her. Even if it killed her, she would not let her heart get in the way of what she knew was right. It was better this way. If Rae could change her circumstances, she would do it in a heartbeat, but it was something she had no choice in. This was just the hand she was dealt.

After dispensing with the old plates she fixed the new ones on. She had just tightened the last screw before the car violently shook. Rae inhaled sharply, filling her senses with the frigid air. Just as she was reminding herself to remain calm, the car rocked again followed by yet another ear-splitting roar.

That did it.

Shaking with anger, she stalked right back over to the open window with stiff movements and hollered, "Are you trying to get us caught?!"

It seemed her appearance had silenced him momentarily before he began making angry clicking sounds, his masked eyes likely boring into her. She stood there unmoving.

If it wasn't for the fact that he had aided their escape, they likely wouldn't have gotten very far. And that was the only reason she didn't kick him out and leave him on the frozen curb. She concentrated on that thought and took a breath. Feeling calmer, she returned her attention to him, and decided to let it go. Had she been stuffed in a car too tiny for herself after having surgery with no pain relief, she could not say she wouldn't be acting the same, if not worse. Much worse.

Noticing his quiet state, she rested her forearms on the door, "Look, I get it. You're not comfortable, you don't want to be here, but don't think for a second that means you can do whatever you want."

He answered her with a soft snarl, his clawed tipped fingers coiling into giant fists.

She sighed tiredly, returning to her place behind the wheel. "I know it's hard in that position, but try and get some rest. We will be there in a couple of hours."

Putting the car in drive, she pulled back onto the quiet road. Every now and then she would hear something from her otherworldly guest, but after a while, as much as he seemed to try and fight it, sleep was inevitable. Hopefully with rest, maybe, just maybe, he might be more agreeable later.

Only time would tell, but she sure hoped so.

"My God," the Colonel breathed. His eyes were wide as he took in the extent of the damage. Large jugs of water were being carried by some of his men, who attempted to put out the fires that sprinkled over the charred land. To think this was a forest once covered in layers of snow and ice. Gazing at this wasteland now, no one would have known how beautiful it used to be.

His second in command silently approached him, a grim look covering his features.

"Anything?" he asked. He didn't even have to look at him, already knowing the answer.

His second shook his head. "Negative, there's no telling what started the explosion."

He exhaled, lowering his gaze. "Well, send more men in to scout the perimeter, there must be some sort of—"

"Hold that order!"

Both men turned in time to see a middle-aged man in an expensive-looking suit wearing dark shades and dress shoes that were clearly unsuitable for the outdoor environment. Undisturbed by this, the man continued walking with purpose towards them.

"That won't be necessary," the stranger went on, now standing before them. His hands were tucked confidently in his coat pockets as he continually took in the surroundings, not looking at all stunned by what he saw.

"And who are you?!" the Colonel frowned, now noticing a half a dozen men in hazmat suits following closely behind the stranger.

The man approached, flashing his badge. "Director Price. And I'm going to have to ask you and all your men to leave the premises at once."

The Colonel's eyes flashed in anger as he straightened, standing just a hair taller. "Under whose authority?!"

Unphased by the waves of aggression pouring off the commanding officer, Price pulled out a folded up document from inside his coat pocket and held it out, stating simply, "The government."

The Colonel snatched the flimsy piece of paper from his gloved hand and stared down at it for a moment before passing it to his second. "What exactly do you think you're going to find? My team has already done a sweep," he gestured to the decimated land behind him. "There's nothing left but what you see here."

Hidden behind his dark shades, the subtle tightening of man's jaw, was the only tell-tale sign that Price was not as refined as he pretended to be. And with his own anger spiking, the Colonel was all for ruffling his feathers.

Price stepped forward, taking the document back before handing it to his assistant, a woman, that had suddenly appeared by his side. "That is classified. But if you are really itching to know," he taunted, with a spiteful smile, "we are looking for a missing asset."

Holding back his anger, the Colonel glanced at his second, before speaking bluntly. "And you think this asset of yours caused all this?!" he waved his arm outwardly. As highly unlikely as that was, if what this man said was true, then they were dealing with a major security threat that needed to be brought up with his superiors, not some small government agency.

"Answer this question Colonel, did any of your men come across a girl?"

His head pulled back as he sputtered incredulously, "Now you're saying a girl did this?! Are you out of your mind?!"

Price dared to step closer. "Answer the question, Captain."

"Colonel," he corrected with a snarl.

"Did you see a girl, or didn't you? I would choose your words carefully, Colonel, or do you forget who you serve?"

Every word that came out his mouth was like pouring alcohol on a campfire flame. The Colonel stood completely stock still, resisting the mighty urge to pummel this lowlife into the ground. It took every bit of his training not to do just that. Clenching his teeth, he managed to growl out his response. "There was one report, yes."

Price's mouth curled into a far too pleased smile as he took a step back. Looking to his men, he gave a silent sideways gesture, causing all but one to step out into the charred space beyond. The remaining member of his staff, his assistant, stood loyally beside him with a clipboard in hand. Once the others left, Price returned his attention to the Colonel. "Who reported it?"

"One of my drivers."

"Call him." He nodded toward the radio in his hand.

Orders. A muscle in his neck pulled taut as the Colonel glowered down at the good-for-nothing, overbearing, egotistic, parasite that was Director Price. Whether the government sent this birdbrain or not, he was not just going to drop everything and walk away, and neither was he going to take orders from someone that clearly disrespected authority. It didn't matter if he was the goddamn secretary of defense, to him, experience and discipline outranked everything and this man was severely lacking in both.

Price's pearl white grin spread, sensing resistance from the officer. He took a step forward, just enough so he could talk privately without the others hearing. "Colonel, we are on the same team. I understand your apprehension about our sudden presence here, but aiding the people of this country is your job; researching and preventing future catastrophes is mine. Now I'm only going to say this once," he took his shades off revealing eyes of ice, "call him."

The Colonel's nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. Lingering for a moment longer, he finally brought the handheld device to his mouth, never breaking eye contact. He wasn't going to hide his displeasure. "C7009 this is the Colonel. Brown, do you copy?"

Both men waited in a tense silence for a response, only hearing static on the other end.

"C7009 this the Colonel. Brown, do you copy over?"

His tired voice finally came over the radio. "...I copy sir, this is Gabriel Brown over."

The Colonel briefly looked at Price. "Brown I need intel on your report. Please repeat. Did you say you saw a girl prior to the explosion?"

"Yes sir."

"And what did she look like?" Price urged, crossing his arms over his chest with a knowing smile.

Beyond irritated, the Colonel repeated the question into the radio, adjusting his stance as he did.

"Uh, she was fair-skinned, probably late teens early twenties, had dark eyes, dark brown hair, I think. Just a regular young lady sir," he replied.

Price's eyes lit up in recognition. "She's alive," he whispered meaningfully to his assistant, who in turn jotted it down with the click of a pen.

Ignoring the man's delighted response, the Colonel continued without further, "Did she say where she was headed?"

"Maine, sir," was his simple response.

"Good work. Get the others ready for departure. Over and out."

"Copy that." It went static again.

Exhaling deeply, he looked at the so-called director. "Satisfied?"

He smiled with a subtle nod, "You are doing your country a great service."

The Colonel had no words for him, and instead hollered, "We move out in five!" He gave Price one final stare before brushing past him.

His second in command hurried after him, "But sir! We're not just gonna let him take over, are we?" He spoke quietly enough so they wouldn't be overheard.

Clapping his Lieutenant on the shoulder, he continued his trek, "Oh don't worry. I am sure my superiors would like to hear what transpired today. We will be seeing Director Price again, that's for damn sure."

Once all the soldiers had cleared out of the premises, Price slipped his phone out of his pocket and dialed an unknown number.

Author's Note

I know this is a shorter one and I apologize! I would have held onto it a tad longer to add more, but I just finished my last final exam for this semester today, so I wanted to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate and show my appreciation for all you patient readers?

Hope you enjoyed. Let me know in a comment! Or two! XD