Everyone walked with subtlety and grace through the now empty police station. The site was horrifying, not because of the gore but because it was clean. The bodies on the floor and in the chairs looked like they were sleeping with just a tiny hole in their head. Some were carrying coffee and others had handguns. The amount of blood was minimal. The scenery gave everyone shivers. It was eerily quiet. Io was the only one in the group who was unsettled by the sight of the dead officers. Evelyn and Jane got over their jitters about seeing a dead body from years of studying in medical school. Meanwhile Samantha grew up in the 1800s where death was as common as the cold. Io’s movements staggered from time to time as she walked but she put on a brave face. Evelyn led the way out of the police station as she was familiar with the building but before she opened the front door she turned to the rest of the group.

“Parker, how come you’re the only one alive?” Evelyn asked. Jane stumbled back but was blocked by Io. Samantha turned her head and stared in silence. Jane remained silent. Her face was stone cold expressionless.

“Parker…” Evelyn said.

“I know him” Jane answered. “I know the gentleman. We work for the same corporation. I believe it was a courtesy among co-workers to not hurt me.”

Everyone else was silent. They didn't know what to say. Jane stood there surrounded. In a fast motion Io spun Jane to the side, grabbed the collar of her coat and shoved her against the wall. Samantha dodge out of the way just in time.

“Why are you here!?” Io demanded. Jane stared back at Io with a cold gaze.

“Do please release your meathooks from me, you vile subterrain fiend.” Jane said in a very icy calm voice. Her tone was calm and collected but underneath she was terrified beyond measure. This statement only seemed to make Io tighten her grip on Jane. She didn’t like being told what to do. Most of the time when someone orders her to do something she does the opposite out of spite. Io was staring at Jane with an aggressive look in her eyes. Fortunately Evelyn answered Io’s question for her.

“She’s my ride, Io” Evelyn commented. “I called her to bail me out.” Io blinked for a moment.

“Oh?” Io replied. There was a moment of pause and then it finally clicked inside Io’s head. “Oh.” She said as she let go of Jane. A shiver of relief crept up Jane’s spine.

“Excuse me, Miss Parker. I-” Samantha started but was cut off almost instantly by Jane.

“Doctor.”

“I’m sorry?”

“It’s Dr. Parker.” Jane said. Her tone came off harsh and dry. Samantha looked at Jane with curiosity and slightly adjusted her glasses.

“But you’re a woman.”

“Yes.”

“And a doctor?”

“Yes”

“Goodness. You’re so clean.” Samantha said. Jane looked at her slightly annoyed.

“I do my best. You were saying?”

“Sorry. Dr. Parker, you said you knew that gentleman in the cell. Would you know of my ship?” Samantha asked with hope in her voice.

“No, child. I do not.”

“He said the cops found it.” Io said. Samantha jerked her head back to Io.

“Could it still be there?”

“Only one way to find out. Parker, you’re driving. And we gotta move quickly before reinforcements arrive and see this mess.” Evelyn said. Jane looked back at her with a look of pure confusion and loathing. It was a kind of look that brought a smile to Evelyn’s face.

The drive down to the beach where Samantha’s ship was originally was interesting. Samantha had a constant list of questions about the modern world. Jane and Evelyn did their best to answer as many as they could or in Jane’s case as many as she could tolerate. Eventually Io picked up and started to answer Samantha’s questions. It was easy for her even though she didn’t have a high school education. Some of the questions were ‘whats a car?’, ‘What is an airplane?’ and ‘what is a phone?’. It made Io feel smart and she was happy to share her knowledge. Samantha on the other hand was astonished. By the time they reached the beach Samantha opened the doors of the car and stepped out with a bit more confidence than she had when she first got into the car. Io stepped out of the car and walked over to her.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Jane rolled down the window and looked at Io.

“Both of you can go ahead. I need to have a talk with Evelyn.” Jane said as she slowly rolled the window back up. Io gave her a shrug and turned back to Samantha.

“Come on small fry. Let's go see your spaceship.” Io said as she slapped Samantha on the back. The impact of Io’s slap jolted her and she almost fell down but was able to recover herself quickly and started moving at a brisk pace. Evelyn and Jane sat together in the car.

“It’s weird.” Evelyn started.

“Why?”

“Never thought I’d be in the same car with you ever again.”

Jane let out a quiet sigh. “Yes. I can agree.”

“Why?” Evelyn asked as she turned towards Jane. “Jane, why did you come.”

“Hope, I believe the word is.” Jane said as she continued to look away from Evelyn. “That despite your ignorance and sarcasm, there is still some sense left in you.” Evelyn felt embarrassed and turned away.

“You know you’re not my mom.” Evelyn said with a smirk on her face.

“I know. And I don’t intend to. But you need help.”

“Yeah...I sort of do.” Evelyn said with slight hesitation.

“Do you plan on going through with it?”

“With what?”

“Everything. Starting with theAA meetings you need to go to. Getting your driver’s license back. Seeking out therapy for your trauma. Getting your life in order. I’m serious.”

“I know you are.”

“Are you?”

Evelyn paused for a moment. A tear started to welt in her eyes. “Jane I am so tired. I don’t know where I am anymore. I feel like I’ve dug myself a hole and I can’t get out of” Evelyn said as she turned her head towards Jane. “You’re pretty much the only person I have left to turn to.”

“I only want you to promise me this in addition to getting professional help. I would like for you to cease with the consumption of alcoholic beverages.”

“Heh, why not cut out my tongue while you are at it.” Evelyn said.

“I’m serious. It would do your body some good. Promise?” Jane asked. Evelyn let out a low sigh.

“Fine. Pinky swear.” Evelyn said as she extended her right hand pinky finger.

“And with that. I will help you.” Jane said as she finally turned towards Evelyn. It was hard to see with the sun’s rays and the tears in her eyes but Evelyn swears that she saw Jane smile. Evelyn let out a scoff.

“Fucking weird day it has been.” Evelyn said as she looked back out towards the beach.

“I want to hear it.”

Evelyn told Jane of her morning encounter with Samantha and the police. As she listened Jane nodded her head a few times as if in deep thought. At the end Evelyn paused and looked at Jane.

“You know something, don’t you?” Evelyn asked. Jane looked at her.

“Unfortunately I don’t but I have my suspicions. If the gentleman that you left locked in a cage was as he claimed, then there is more solid evidence to support Samantha’s claim. And I still cannot believe it.”

“Something out of a fairy tale, eh?”

“Indeed.”

“Figured you’d be panicking now that you’re late for work.” Evelyn said with a grin.

“Yes. Well, having a coworker put a pistol behind your back and commit murder can certainly rearrange one’s priorities.”

“You froze up. Knew something was wrong.”

“I...was scared.” Jane said. Her voice suddenly trembled.

“Jane...One of these days you’re going to have to act. In a serious life or death situation like that you can’t always just play nice and expect people to leave you alone.”

Jane said nothing in response to Evelyn’s statement. She looked out towards the beach in deep thought. She thought about the events that had taken place in the past hour and wondered if there was anything that she could have done. And suddenly there was a bit of doubt in her. The thought has sprouted but was immediately crushed and brushed under the rug. It was not a thought that Jane wanted to think too much on. But if there was something she could have done, would she still be alive? That thought terrified her even more. She remained silent.

Evelyn looked at her with worry in her face and suddenly changed topics.

“So what did you do with my room after I left?”

Jane didn’t say anything about that either. It had been a few years since the last time they were anywhere near each other. Their last encounter ended with Evelyn screaming at Jane in anger and frustration. Jane still remembers that day very clearly. She remembers the rain, the sound of broken glass and the smell of alcohol. It was not a pleasant memory for either one of them and it resulted in the two of them not speaking to each other until recently. It was strangely calm in the car and it made both of them uncomfortable.

The silence was broken with Evelyn grabbing her head and letting out a terrible roar.

“My fucking head!” Evelyn shouted out.

“Ah” Jane said as she leaned over to open the glove compartment revealing a tiny bottle of aspirin.

“Doc, you’re a lifesaver.” Evelyn said with relief as she reached for the bottle. After she took two aspirin, Evelyn leaned back in her seat and tried to relax.

“It’s going to be like this for the next few days, Evelyn. I know it's going to be hard. But I know you can do it.”

“Ah save that self help care stuff for later, Parker.” Evelyn mumbled to herself. “It’s only a hangover.”

Jane smiled and let out a sigh. The car was once again silent. The air around them was different. It wasn’t tense or awkward but coated with a sense of relief. Both Jane and Evelyn had felt like they had let something heavy go. Something heavy from the past. They were sitting in a car of comfortable silence.

Out in the distance Jane spotted Io running towards the car followed by Samantha. Evelyn didn’t notice until Io was right next to the hood of the car. Io slammed her hand on the hood of the car as she passed by and stopped right next to Jane. The sudden thumb noise from Io didn’t help Evelyn’s headache. She let out a quiet whine. Jane glared at Io and slowly rolled down the window.

“Any reason as to why you felt the need to hit my vehicle.” Jane said in an authoritarian voice. Io blinked a few times, took a step back. Samantha stumbled her way towards the car and stepped in between Jane and Io.

“It’s gone!” Samantha shouted.