Soon, very soon. It will start and all hope may or less be lost. If what he says is true, then I should make the best of the little time I have left. Truly is a pity then, huh? Alan thought with a sigh.
Alan casually walked to the inn with a gleeful face, but anyone who could read people could tell he held a stoic pose. Alan's feelings were in turmoil fighting a futile battle within him. Hope surged only to succumb to anger, then to awe and excitement followed by guilt and anxiety; but not once did he feel sadness for this life, planet or people on it. He knew the rules they followed would collapse like a palace of snow to true might. Might of a being such as a god. Shaking his head violently but somehow subtly, he cleared his mind hoping to devote his remaining minutes to his friends. He saw one of them sprinting for the bar carefree, not a care in the world. He was about to call out to him but saw him pause, aiming to open the door as stealthily as possible; Alan chuckled inwardly, realizing he didn't want to be seen late. Suddenly he felt a tingling in his head and decided to give the man a good scare. They should make the most of it after all.
--
He didn't have a father... so why did he... Sam wasn't sure, but he had been doing this quite often during the past few weeks. Shrugging it off, he was about to enter the inn on time - after his hard work - when he felt a hand slowly touch his shoulder and gripped him tightly. Frantically, Sam jumped on the spot trying to shout for help, but no sound came out. Has his day come? Was he about to be assassinated? But why did they come for him? Thousands of questions filled his thoughts and he thought back to what his mother said: "Don't stay out late or else the Tyrs will attack you."
Wait, he had a mother now? No, it must be all those books he was reading in his breaks. Must've remembered it from there. Sam shuddered, his numerous thoughts on assassination gone, and his nerves returned to normal as he turned around. Craning his neck upwards, he stared at a six foot three man with dark silky hair and pitch black eyes. His chin was chiselled and he wore a black tank top, defining his endless muscles.
Yep, I'm dead, confirmed Sam staring into a black hole. However, in every book he read, and every show he watched, the big guy was always the nicest guy with the best voice. So what happened next left Sam in a state of shock beyond shock.
"Ay, piss of mate, you're in the way." growled The Black Hole.
The books lied.
"Cat got your tongue? Let me help you with that." threatened the beast as he raised a hand in the shape of a fist.
With sheer will alone, Sam managed to sputter "Please... don't... I don't... taste good..."
How that was enough to make a gangster stop in his tracks, Sam didn't know, but what was clear was that SOME books he read told the truth. Something dropped to the floor with a splat, and more followed after a couple of seconds. Sam's sight started to go blurry as... water started to crowd near his eyes.
"Umm, I'm sorry man. I didn't mean to make you cry, I was just trying to give you a good scare. Thought men were tougher..." the last part being more of a mutter. "I'm Alan, I thought you were one of my employees but I haven't seen you before so I guess not. I'm sorry again but I'd better go.
Hurriedly, Alan walked past Sam, patting him on the shoulder for reassurance. Unsure what had just happened and how to proceed Sam wiped his tears, turned around, and took a few shaky steps, only to be bombarded by another co-worker.
"Heyyy Alan, how you doing? Still paying for them drinks, yeah? Oh, and Sam too. What yer doing at the door, come right in." slurred an already drunk Katherine.
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Similar to Jessica, Katherine also wore little make-up but had auburn hair with leaf green eyes. She swayed her hips while walking and shouted the names of the new arrivals with her glass in the air. Staring at Katherine, Sam barely acknowledged the awkward glance from Alan and the apology. "I screwed up big time didn't I?"
Doing the only thing he knew what to do in such a situation, Sam shook his head and replied "Yeah, but it's not ok"
Raising an eyebrow, Alan inquired "Not...?"
Realizing what he had just said, Sam just stuttered and managed "Go drink."
It once again dawned on him that he had ordered his much higher superior, and opened his mouth to instantly apologise. "I-"
He didn't get far as a firm hand clapped his back and Alan laughed and strolled off to meet the others. "Right you are 'Boss'."
Trying to ignore that massive fiasco, Sam looked around scanning for who had arrived. He recognised quite a few higher-ups, but could name only a few: the ones with Alan. A silver-haired man with silver eyes - also wearing a tank top - named Simon. Sam knew Alan went to college with an Asian and a silver-haired dude, leaving the last of the group to be Firdan. Firdan had even darker hair than Alan, and his muscles on his arms were more compact than Alan's as well. It was common knowledge that both Simon and Firdan tried to get into the military, but unfortunately, failed.
"YO! Sam get over here and drink man. Don't be a downer, yeah!"
Sam ignored the man and walked over to Alan and his group. Neither Simon nor Firdan acknowledged Sam but Alan chugged a glass of beer and stood up; wrapping his arm around Sam's shoulders.
"Ey Sam, good to see you again" Alan spoke confusing Sam as they had only met a few minutes ago. "These my mates: Si and Fi" Pointing at Simon and Firdan.
Si? Fi? Really couldn't choose better nicknames. Sam muttered a greeting to the two, not even receiving a nod or a shake of their heads. Cool and silent types, eh? Read a lot about them.
"Thanks Alan, but you're gripping my shoulder a bit too... hard," said Sam with his most confident voice only shaking at the start.
"Ah... yeah. I do admit I was but you've got some fine muscles hidden" complimented Alan, shamelessly earning a stifled laugh from Katherine and a nod from Simon.
"You work out? Treadmill perhaps? Weights definitely."
"No" Sam replied, unsure of whether he should elaborate. Simon raised an eyebrow analytically gazing over him. His eyes sent a tremor down Sam's spine. Sam looked deep into Simon's eyes, searching for something - as they did in the books. They held the stare; both trying to outface the other. Eventually, Simon grunted with appreciation and looked away, barely noticing Sam's red face. He felt like he was in a desert under the rays of the sun. His face was florid, so he quickly asked for a bottle of wine, trying to make himself drunk to hide the real reason behind his flush face.
"Quite a heavy drinker aren't yer." slurred Katherine seductively, winking at him. Puzzled, Sam looked down at his hands to notice that he had drunk two full bottles and was about to complete the third. Quivering, he also failed to grasp that this was his first time drinking in almost five years.
"Well as long as you pay, drink all you want" Alan announced, downing his own ale. Glares fired at him from all around the bar, making him stop baffled. Until he remembered he had promised to pay for everyone's drinks. Laughing to cover his bluff, he exclaimed "Yeah, yeah just trying to lighten the mood." Sadly, this drew more glares as the air was already as light as it could be.
--
Shoot, I blew that one real time. Almost spilled the beans in my drunken state... not that it matters. Better make my speech before it begins. Alan thought as he hoisted himself up and glanced about. His best friend Simon and Firdan both looked at him knowingly; Katherine leaned onto the table charmingly and watched him. He saw plenty of drunks or sobered-up people littered around. How many will die and how many will survive? Alan wondered. He noticed Jessica sitting by herself - glass at hand - gawking at the man called Sam. Sam's colour had returned to his normal light skin; not that he saw it much anyway. He smiled, thinking about the man's antics, truly wishing he would survive.
"Thank you all for coming" started Alan, waiting for everyone to quieten down. "I have had an amazing time and I am sure you all have too. Unfortunately, this blissful time must come to an end. It i-" Alan came to a sudden but agreeable stop. A wild, loud laugh could be heard echoing around the room while words popped up in front of his eyes.
Beginning Assimilation
Assimilation Complete