A Monster Story

How long had he been down here? The earthy smell of the dirt was like second nature. On the rare days when the wind picked up, he could almost smell the trees. The smell was foreign. He used to love the smell. Now he hated it. It reminded him of the warmth and light of the sun. He shielded his eyes at the thought. How long had it been? He could still see the etching in the sky, but he couldn’t remember how it moved. Was it always there? How did they live above with the constant bother?

Shards of dirt fell near his feet. His feet were grotesque and the wrong color. When had they changed? He couldn’t remember. It had happened so fast. It had been too long ago. His clawed fingers poked and prodded, picking through the dry crumbles along the ground. Something small and warm wiggled free. He skewered it. It made no sound. Did all things die so quietly? More dirt fell. Footsteps thudded above him. Another alien smell wafted through his nostrils. His claws guided the struggling thing to his mouth. He opened wide, exposing sharp teeth before slicing the thing in half. It tasted like nothing. He remembered sweet tastes and sour taste. This tasted like neither. He swallowed the two halves down into his stomach. It growled. Or was that him?

A shower of dirt fell again. What were they doing above him? His eyes scanned the enclosure. It was dark, but he could see everything. They had been there for a while. He wasn’t sure what they were doing. He wasn’t sure what they were. Something that lived with the sun. He shuddered to think of the wicked creatures. Dirt hit him in his eye. It stung. He blinked to clear the abrasive substance. Did they not know he lay down below? His hands picked another thing from the growing pile below him. His hand was also the wrong color. The wrong color for what, though? He knew it was different before. It had been smaller. The worm tasted the same. It was larger, but he still took the two halves in a lazy gulp.

He moved away from the cascade. Three sections of what he called home had previously collapsed. He wasn’t sure when. He couldn’t keep track of something so small. He didn’t know days. He slept when he tired and woke when he wasn’t. He ate when he was hungry. It was a simple life. His mind tingled when he tried to remember what it had been before. There was a time when he could fly. Not with his own body, but somehow, he flew. It was too hard to remember that now. He touched his belly. It was hard. A memory of the smaller things he had seen in the dirt came to him. Did he used to call them something? He was sure they had a name. The tunnel collapsed. His head swam from the impact. What was going on?

***

“General Graman, sir.” 

The General turned from his thoughts. Beside him Scriber Lintel busied himself with work only he knew. Everyone around the place new him better as Paper, which was a play on archaic forms of scribing. No one had used trees for paper in over a hundred years. With such an uninspired crew, Neil Thompson found it surprising anyone even remembered the process. 

“Sir, it is urgent that we discuss a certain matter.” 

The General held aloft his index finger. A tiny signal, but easily picked up by Paper who was intoned to such displays. The specialized VenoPen halted in mid-stroke. A pad with the capabilities to send notes over thousands of light years balanced on Paper’s open palm. 

There were things beyond Neil’s paygrade and the thought of how that thing worked was one of them. All he knew for sure was that Paper transcribed each day on Vobis and sent back home to Earth. What they did with the information or why they cared could stay their problem.  

The General eyed Neil, deciding if he wanted to have this conversation. What he saw was a head of dirty brown hair that was uncombed. Neil hadn’t cut his hair in over six months. He barely bothered with it at all. Keeping it dirt free was enough of a task.

“Report,” said the General. 

Neil looked around. People filled every inch of the communal area. They all pretended complete interest in their daily chores, but Neil could see the shift in their eyes as he spoke.

“If I could request a walk, sir?”

The General sighed. Lintel placed his pen in the side holder of the VenoPad. The General didn’t miss this action. 

“No, Lintel, walk behind. I must finish the notes.” 

Lintel nodded, and Neil fell into a slow stride beside them both. The General rattled off a set of issues while holding a finger for Neil to wait his turn. 

“Six trapped in section 4, have a team of rescue workers trying to extract them now. The air vents are clear and should provide clean oxygen for at least three days. Hope to have them safely in their bunks far before that time.”

The VenoPen glided over the device. It made absolutely no sound. The light sent by the pen evaporated into the screen. 

“No reports of Richard Clarkson, head biologist. Have continued to receive reports from Jennifer Daily in biology.”

Neil knew Jennifer. She was a middle-aged ecologist. She had long, wavy brown hair. Brown eyes with a hint of green in the middle. She was everything Neil loved about women-which is why he married someone exactly like her back home on Earth, but that was over seventy-five light years away. Here, all he had to look forward to daily was Jennifer Daily. He shook his head. He had a wife and an unborn child. Well, unborn when he had left. He supposed it was more likely a year old now. Aside from that, Jennifer also had a husband and two kids.

“There seems to be no hostile life upon the planet. As has been the case for the past two months. We have witnessed nothing larger than a small dog. The creature is strange to look at, but it remains docile.” 

The General talked about what the men called snuffles. A small red and brown scaled lizard-like creature. There were thousands of them upon the surface of the planet. Though only the exploring team went above ground anymore. The mining team hollowed out over a hundred feet of tunnels and paths within the first month. The issued machines were amazing. They cut through dirt and rock like melted butter. Now, the grates of the metal pathways echoed beneath his army-issued boots.

     Neil tried not to show the boredom on his face, but he guessed he had failed in the attempt. General Garman looked at him with saggy, tired eyes.

“Is this report not important enough for you, Neil?”

Neil tried to feign surprise. He failed at this as well. 

“Oh no, sir. I am sure it is of grave importance. It’s just, I don’t quite care about the knowledge I already have attained.”

The General smirked. “I forget sometimes how forward you miners can be. Shoot your report, Neil. Lintel do not transcribe unless I order it.” The pen halted. Lintel’s red-faced betrayed his embarrassment. “I suppose you already wrote those words?” The nod was slow. “Great, now when the call comes from home you can answer.” Lintel looked down at his feet. The General knew full well Lintel could not access the direct line, and Neil doubted they would waste the time for such a trivial thing anyhow. “Well, Neil? I don’t have all day.” 

Neil snapped from his daydreaming. 

 “Yes, sorry, sir. I have been down in the mining pits all day today, with the men. We have heard strange noises from the old corridors. The ones we blocked off over a month ago. Men say it sounds like a man on the growler.”

The General held up his hand. “Just what is a growler?”

Neil should have remembered the correct term. It became a habit to use the talk of his men. “The latrine, sir.”

The General shook his head. “Very well, carry on.”

Neil tucked the lesson of words into his memory bank. “Sir, what I mean is, it is loud, and grunts have been echoing through the dark. Also, on another note, we have found droppings of something larger than the lizard-like creatures. My men have claimed to not make them. I suggest having Miss. Daily have a look.”

 The General bit the inside of his cheek. Neil waited for a reply. “Yes, I suppose she should.” The General turned to Paper. The man lifted his eyes and stood straight, ready for his orders. It was sad to see.

Lintel James Monroe was a man with a dream. At twenty-three, they offered him hyper travel. He accepted without knowledge of his duties. His days as a space explorer were short dreamed, now he was unnoticeable without his VenoPad. 

“Lintel, I want you to find Miss. Daily and notify her to report to Neil at the mining pits. Tell her this could be crucial. So, I appreciate her every effort to comply hastily.”

Jennifer had a habit of waiting until the last minute for things. She had never wanted to get aboard the flight, Sk1001:, it was her debt that decided for her. Lintel’s hand flew to his chest. The correct salute for acknowledgment of the task; the General turned to Neil. 

“Anything else?” Neil shook his head. “Then I shall return to my duties.” 

Neil nodded. He had not saluted. He wasn’t a soldier. He was a miner.

***

Jennifer Daily sat crossed legged upon a flat pillow. She had practiced meditation for fifteen years. She still practiced because she could never quite get it down. She sighed and flicked her hand to the near table, grabbing a long cylinder before lighting it between her lips. Her next sigh was of pleasure. Who needed meditation when you had a cigarette? She inhaled again, letting out a puff of smoke. 

“Does that mean we are done already?” 

Across from Jennifer sat the biggest man she had ever seen. Though saying he was a gentle giant would not do his docile side justice. With hands like a regular man’s head, he refused to kill a bug. Jennifer let the smoke swirl around her. It soothed her like nothing else. She knew it was bad, but so were a lot of other things. ‘Enjoy things while you are alive’, she always said. Though she always tried those healthy things first; they just never worked. 

“Sash, we are finished forever with this junk.” His eyes belayed the hurt. She hated how easily he fell to emotion. She was supposed to be the woman. “Oh, come off it. I will be ready again tomorrow.” 

He quickly found his smile. What a lumbering wreck. She took another quick drag and snuffed out the end on the table beside her. She was supposed to be working right now, but she hated this planet. The sun here was too hot. It made her skin sticky and her clothes heavy. 

“Want to hear a poem?” The joy on his voice was like a child. 

Did this man really exist? She could not imagine being such a pansy. If she was that big, she would have ruled this ship. Turned the thing around and gone home. Home, she thought. She wouldn’t even have a home if it wasn’t for this place. She refrained from lashing out. She knew he meant no harm. 

“Not right now, Sash. I have to get back to work.” 

He tried to hide the sorrow, but she could see right through him. 

The knock on her door saved her. She always caved to the cries. She stood and stretched the sleep from her legs. There was still plenty of youth left in her at only thirty-five but traveling in the ship had worn her down. When she opened the door, sliding it by the knob on the side, Paper stood eagerly on the other side. He was a tiny young man with a boyish frame; she envied his hopeful disposition. 

“What?” She was usually more polite, but right now she didn’t feel like it. 

His face didn’t shift. He didn’t care how polite she was. She liked that. She knew he hated this place just about as much as her deep down, even if he failed to show it.

“General Garman has requested your presence in the mining pits. Neil has found something of interest.” 

Neil Thompson, she thought. Thoughts of shaggy brown hair, corded muscles filling our long arms, and those light brown eyes. She bit her lip in concentration. 

“Did you hear me, Jennifer?” 

Her thoughts came rushing back to her room. She had a husband and two kids. No matter how much the flirting turned her on. 

“Yes, I will gather my things.” 

Lintel nodded. He then turned and made his way down the hall. Jennifer cringed. She hated the mining pits. What had those idiots found?

***

“One more, then I’m done.” This was the fifth or sixth time he repeated that same sentence. The man across from him looked frustrated but complied. He had to comply. Had to keep the captain happy. Who else could fly him off this heat bubble? He jerked forward. He wasn’t tired. It was the damn alcohol eating at him again. He pounded the small shot glass full of amber whiskey. It tasted horrible. He spat on the floor next to him. The man in front of him ground his teeth. Never would he say a word. Captain Jones Clifton smiled. “One more.” His hand shook as he reached across the bar. Maybe that was his vision that shook. He wasn’t sure. His hand found the small glass and his head tilted back. The contents burned all the way down. Why did he drink this crap? It tasted like death.

Again, his head swooned. Throat muscles swallowed tightly. Was he going to puke? Trying to prevent a disaster, he held his breath. The feeling slowly passed. A loud burp came instead. 

“One more.” 

Someone sat down next to him. The bar was made for the mining workers, but the captain spent more time here than anyone else. The alcohol was proposed to keep the miners placated, but Clifton drowned his sorrows just as well. His arm felt heavy, but he grabbed another glass and sloshed the contents down his throat. He turned to the man sitting next to him. 

“That is horrible!” He let his breath wash across the man’s face. The smell of whiskey was strong.

     “Maybe you have had enough?” 

Clifton stopped grinning. He had to stop to focus his eyes. He couldn’t do both at once anymore. The swimming image of the man before him slowed. He knew the face. Adam Harvey. The men called him Rawhide. He was older than the hills, but still looked like a young man. Crazy what that space air could do for a person.

     “I think I will have another.” The captain tried to place his hand on the counter, but it thudded with weight behind it. He chuckled. He could barely control his own body.

     “Have you heard, Captain?”

Rawhide grabbed his attention. He tossed the drink down his chin. Spilling it all down the front of his shirt; he didn’t bother to wipe it away. He couldn’t feel it anyhow.

“Hear what?” What kind of ploy did old Rawhide have?

Staring at him with disgust and contempt, Rawhide maintained a casual tone. “Neil Thompson may have found a new species. Something big they are saying.”

     That was the news?

 “I will have another.” Adam looked away. “

I hope it eats the whole shitty lot of them,” said the captain.

 Adam redirected his attention back to Clifton. He let a smile cross his face. “Let’s hope not, captain. Then who would you have to drink with?”

 Clifton grabbed the shot glass and downed the liquid. He thought to himself, hopefully nobody.

***

Clawing and scraping he rose to his feet. These were his feet, right? They had to be. They looked so different, but different from what? The dirt still showered the enclosure. It was impossible to go back the way he had come. The pain in his head added to the pain in his stomach. He lurched forward, sticking his grotesque hand into the dirt wall. His claws dug deep into the sodden texture. He used the wall to hold himself straight. It took a minute, or what he thought was a minute. What was a minute? He seemed to forget more and more. His head cleared. He could stand on his own again. His claws loosened from the wall. Four deep crevices remained. They filled with dripping water. His hand reached up, cupping the substance. It burned to touch. He moved retracted in pain. What was it? His mouth felt dry, so he put his lips to the dripping liquid. His stomach lurched. He let out a yelp. It sounded like a growl. The surrounding dirt shook. When had he become so loud?

     His hands cupped his ears. The sound of his own grunting hurt them. He didn’t like sound. Something whispered down the tunnel. He looked. It was pitch black, but he could see. Far down the tunnel were lights. They crept across his vision. He froze. Was it some kind of monster? He slipped behind another wall. This tunnel was narrow. His shoulders scraped and stuck against the rough walls.

  He was almost running. The lights faded. He slowed. Turning his head, he watched the opening. What was down here with him? Where was he? He hadn’t always been here, or maybe he had. It was too hard to remember. He closed his eyes and his chest shuttered. A growl emitted from him again. More noises, and then the light reappeared. He turned again, slipping between dirt walls. His legs carried him until the noise and light could no longer be seen.

***

     Neil watched her back arch as she bent over the pile of waste. His eyes trailed down her spine. He hoped a little that he might glimpse something more. Her pants were snug around her waist, and they did not slip. He let his mind come from the gutter.

     “It’s a nice pile of shit, huh?” 

Her laugh made his chest tight. She fliicked off her gloves. His hand lowered the light he had been holding.

“Why do we continue to play this game, Neil?”

He swallowed. There was pressure building in his stomach. He looked down. It was beyond his control. He wanted to catch the curve of her neck and peek down her tank top. She sat still.

“I know you are looking at my breast.”

His face turned five shades of red. Of course, she knew. She was much smarter than him. He had been a fool to think himself smooth. Her hand ran up his arm. He felt goosebumps rise where her fingers trailed. He looked up. Her eyes were wide. With pupils wider still. Her mouth parted. Did she want him to kiss her?

     She cupped his bicep. He felt himself growing stiff in more places. She tilted her chin, waiting for him to make the move. He pushed the thoughts of his wife from his mind. He imagined what her lips would taste like; then he knew. Her lips parted and his tongue slid in. She was soft. Her tongue darted over his. His hand found the small of her back. He couldn’t believe it. She moaned between breaths. His hand trailed under her shirt, heart pounding hard inside his chest. He felt giddy. Kissing her hard, he slipped a hand to the curve of her bottom. It was firm and yet soft. He squeezed. Hips pressed into his thigh. Shifting his lip down, he nibbled on her neck. Nothing else but her smell remained real. Her hand fumbled with his belt. He pulled her pants down with a tug. There was nothing underneath. A moment passed where he drank her in. She was trim and fit, but some pudge still existed on her hips. She had borne children, but it didn’t stop him from lusting for her. He pulled her shirt over her head. Her breast sagged. Yet were fuller than they looked inside her shirt. Her lips found his ear. She nibbled. His pants fell to his knees. Her fingertips brushed over him. He wanted her more than anything he had ever known. She turned. Placed her hands on the wall, ready for him; he stepped behind her. She was exotic.

     The growl echoed. It came from the darkness. Where they had sealed off the tunnels months before. Jennifer stood straight. Neil looked off into the pitch black. He couldn’t see a thing. Fumbling with the light, holding it before him didn’t help. Whatever it was; was far down the shaft. Neil turned to Jennifer. Fear reflected her eyes. The moment of lust had disappeared. He felt it, too. He reached down, pulling his pants back around his waist.

     “We had better tell the General.”

***

“What kind of growl?” 

Jennifer tried to concentrate on his questions, but Neil still fluttered in her mind. Like a pesky fly that refused to be killed. She waited till he repeated the question. 

“What kind of growl, Jennifer?” She didn’t know how to explain a growl. Did he want her to imitate the beast? 

“A loud one, like I said.” 

A wince scrunched his face. They always took things so personally. His type was always formal. Sure, he would try to crack a smile, but it was bland and unreal. His hands came up sweeping over his haggard face. He had looked much younger when they had boarded the ship. 

“Something large, if I had to compare, I would say a lion.” 

His face contorted. She could tell he hated her. At least he didn’t bother to try to hide it. “Lintel, bring in Adam Harvey. Tell him his men are to gather their supplies.” 

He meant guns. They always meant guns. “I am not sure it is hostile.” 

His eyes flashed over her. She could tell he was done with her. He would have forced her from the room, but Neil stood beside her. 

“It did not attack us, sir.” 

He nodded. “Of course, it didn’t. There was three feet of dirt between you.”

 She wanted to smack him. She knew better though. She wouldn’t last a second in the shackles. So, she bit her tongue. 

“Adam won’t be ordered to shoot first. I will inform him to use caution. He will use his own knowledge of situations to perform his duties. You have nothing to worry about.” 

She wasn’t worried. It was clear the only man worried in the room was the General. He turned again towards Lintel. “What are you still doing here?” The boy didn’t flinch. She wondered what his thoughts were. She knew they probably didn’t hold many nice things about old General Garman. Paper gave the proper salute. Then, he turned and left the room. She didn’t envy him much at that moment. 

***

He crouched down. He had heard the yells. The lights bounced off the walls all around him. He had seen their faces. Pink and soft; he felt his own face. Hard and large; his eyes stuck to the sides. Theirs had sat in the middle of their heads. He cringed at the memory. What ugly creatures. Where had they come from? He held his breath. He thought he heard something in the distance. The scrape of dirt and heavy footfalls, he pushed himself lower to the ground. He had run out of space to hide. If they turned down this tunnel, they would have him trapped. He felt something akin to fear, but it was different. It didn’t make him want to run anymore. Now, he wanted to jump out. He wanted to fight. The growl he let out was not of his own doing, but it came from his mouth. The dirt trickled down from the ceiling. 

If they hadn’t found him by now, they at least knew where to look. His belly churned. Why did it always pain him so? He felt his hands grip the dirt inside his palms. His long claws easily displacing the floor beneath them. 

It was several moments before he heard the noises again. Then, the lights bounced from the walls. He couldn’t control it, he growled again. He focused on the light. The creatures rounded the curve of the wall. A handful of them; he couldn’t keep track. He couldn’t remember how to tell the difference between them. They blurred into each other. He stood upon his legs. They were strong beneath him. The creatures growled. Then, they held up something. He stepped slowly toward them. They were going to hurt him. He didn’t know how he knew this, but he knew it. He could slightly remember their pink faces. Something about them screamed pain. Then, the flashes of light came with heat. Small objects hit his hard chest. It felt like rocks falling from the ceiling. The creatures growled again. Were they attacking? He sent his own growl from his chest. It shook the walls. The creatures backed away. His hand swiped at the one in front. It opened his face, red liquid running warmly over his hand; he tasted it. It was sweet. He enjoyed it. The creature fell. It was curious. Much louder than a wiggly creature in death, the others backed away. The little flashes of light came more frequent. They also growled weakly. He stepped after them. 

Two more went down before him. He rummaged their bodies, licking the sweet red substance from them. Three more quickly followed in death. He looked around. None were left. What were these things? He bent, pulling what he supposed was an arm from the body. His sharp teeth split it into halves. He had to half of them again before swallowing. His belly felt different. It didn’t hurt anymore. He smiled. At least he thought it was a smile. He reached down and pulled more of the body apart. His stomach felt warm. The creatures must be the reason. 

***

His head throbbed. Had he fallen asleep at the bar? If so, how had he gotten to his room? He lifted his head off the sweat-soaked pillow. It was flat from over a year’s use. They had packed a switch of linen, but somehow his was lost in the shuffle.

He flicked his tongue across dry lips, but his mouth was no moister. He stood. Then, he wished he hadn’t. The pounding in his head made his eyes close reflexively. Sickness churned deep. His feet moved him toward the privy. He ducked under the door. They made it for a much shorter man. Which didn’t normally matter to him. Usually, he preferred crawling to and from his bed. The liquor had that effect on his legs. He opened the lid. The water was crystal clear with a tinge of blue. He vomited all over it. Some of the chunkier bits, he swallowed back down as he gasped for air. Then, he blew again. The specks flew up, hitting him in the face. He leaned back. The floor was cold. With a listless smearing, he attempted to wipe the spittle from his chin. The extra hair reminded him he needed to shave.

     The door opened. No one even bothered to knock anymore. He had been shaken from stupor countless times now. 

“You here, Captain?” The voice belonged to that little shit Paper Lintel. 

Clifton pulled himself up using the bowl, flushed the remains of his stomach down the pipes-good riddance, and stood. His legs reminded him of jelly. He needed a drink.

     Lintel watched through the bathroom door. He must have heard the commotion. Clifton walked over to the shelves along the wall and pulled down a bottle. Inside was the strong-smelling amber liquid. Lintel stepped before him. He placed his hand on the bottom of the bottle.

“General Garman requests you.”

Clifton pushed his hand away. He was ready to have his drink.

The young boy grabbed the bottle. “He requests you sober.”

Clifton stammered. Damn. He put the lid back on. “What now?” 

Lintel didn’t answer his question, but said, “in the general guidance room, Captain.”

***

     Neil stood next to his mining crew. Down in the pits of it all, the drill sounded behind him. It was almost closing time. Most of the men would head toward the bar. Most likely to be joined by Captain Clifton, others would retire. Those men were his working crew. He could tell who they were and gave them bonus checks at the end of each month.

     At the moment, he spoke to Carter Delaney. The man was dark skinned and foul-mouthed, but he really didn’t differ from most miners. 

     “The crew found acidic water. We have been draining it. It has a foul odor but shouldn’t cause any problems.” 

Neil was used to the weird substances his crew found. If it didn’t slow the production down, he didn’t worry himself about it.

     “Neil.” 

Paper sneaked in beside him. Carter looked on with peaked interest. “General Garman…” Neil cut the boy off.

     “Carter, could you make sure everything gets shut off properly? As many men as you can convince from the bar the better.” Carter nodded. Then, he turned and walked toward the laboring drills.

     “What is it he wants?”

If Lintel held any resentment at the brashness, he showed none. “Just for me to inform you of a meeting in the general guidance room.” 

Neil nodded. Of course, the old General probably found out what that growling beast was. Probably was already having it stuffed for his wall.

“I will be there soon.”

Lintel nodded. Then, turned and faded away toward the steps to the upper world.

***

She hated these documents. These were not what she had signed up for. The tedious cataloging, this creature here, and this one there. She could scream. Tears pooled from the strain. She blinked them away. Was from the stress or depression? She thought again of something that made her happy. Neil’s tight body rubbed against hers, his manhood near stiffened in her hand. She shook her head. Something changed her up here. The planet’s air got to her.

     She flipped another page. It blurred behind the tears. Frustration overwhelmed and she pushed the book away from sight. There was no desire to do this anymore. She wanted to scream and pull her hair. Maybe to cry and kick a little too. Instead, she reached for her cigs and lit one up. The ember glowed in relief. Smoke billowed in a cloud. Her free hand flexed open and closed. There were only a few more notes. That was all. She told herself she could have a drink after. She could find Neil. Maybe finish what they started. She smiled. The smoke filled her lungs.

     The knock on the door was familiar. It was formal. That meant Paper was back again. Twice in one day. She moved to her feet. Then, she sat back down. He could open the door himself.

“Come in.”

He entered gingerly. Just sticking his head through the door. “General Garman wishes audience in the general guidance room.”

Great, more work.

***

     The general room was standing room only by the time Neil slid through the doors. He spotted Jennifer and looked away. He felt bad the entire day about what had happened between them. He moved along the back wall. Every effort made was to put her out of sight. She looked hurt by the gesture, but he couldn’t stomach standing beside her right now. He stared forward. The General used Lintel to scribe some message. As he finished, he turned to address the gathered crowd.

     “Alright folks, we are in alert mode 2. There is no need to panic. As of right now, we are only awaiting the return of Adam Harvey and his men.” He paced as he talked. That meant he was nervous. Neil had noticed the quirk long ago. “They have been gone for longer than expected. I am hoping to hear from them at any moment. Though they have stopped receiving transcriptions and have stopped sending them as well.”

     Neil wondered what that growl was. He had heard nothing again down in the pits, but they worked on the far end. About three miles from the area, they had been inside of earlier today. He bit his lip in concentration.

     That’s when he heard the commotion from the primary facility. The group inside the room turned. They all heard it as well.

“Calm!” The General pushed through. He made his way toward the back. When he cracked the door, everyone looked outside. Everyone ran haphazardly. Many went in the opposite direction of the guidance room. Neil moved in beside the general. He saw a creature that resembled a man but was much more grotesque. Its skin had molded. It looked hard, like a carapace. He squinted to block light from his vision. The feet of the creature were gnarled and large. The hands supported large, hanging claws. It growled and Neil almost lost control of his bladder. He pushed back from the door.

“What the hell is that thing?”

The General looked at him. His face pale. His eyes wide behind his wrinkles, “I think it’s Richard Clarkson.”

     The room churned. At once, everyone pushed to see. As they did, they screamed and pushed themselves back into the room. The creature moved closer. Neil could tell by the growls. Jennifer squeezed in near him.

“What is it?”

He shook his head. He hadn’t a clue.

***

It had hurt at first. The light had filled his eyes with pain. Though after a time, the pain faded. Then, it was gone. He trudged through the tunnels. He picked the creatures off in the pits below. There were so many of them, his belly distended. He had not remembered ever feeling so good. He kept moving. His legs carried him up a hard, strange textured walkway. It brought him higher and higher into the light. After the pain faded, he tracked through the area. There had been nothing there, but a faint smell wafted across the air, leading him further from his home.

    The creatures growled as he approached them. Then, they ran away from him. His claws met their bodies and cut the liquid from inside them. Some tried to fight back with flashing lights. He swatted them away. His hard-shelled stomach barely felt the bites of the small objects. Other creatures stood up to him. They fell just the same. Their tiny bodies looked like bugs at his feet. He hadn’t always been this big. At least he didn’t think he had. Those bodies looked familiar to him, but how could he remember? Everything was so easily forgotten.

     He scooped up parts of their soft bodies. The taste sweet on his tongue. The liquid warmed his throat. It made him feel nice inside. He kept moving. Through small, hard walls, some of them so hard his claws barely punctured the surface. He found doorways and more and more of the creatures. They stopped fighting and just ran. Growling and running. He reveled in the chase. It made him feel something strange. He remembered running as a child. Some type of game. He wondered if that was the game he played now. He sliced his claws through another creature’s back. The rush pushed him onward. The surrounding room became bigger. There were many creatures now. So many he could not register them all. The lights were brighter here. He growled. Through the corner of his eye, he watched them watching him. He growled again. He would feast upon them all.

***

     Clifton pushed his way through the crowd. He paused at the door. Whatever the damn thing was, it was big. He looked over at the scared crowd. All he could think about was that he sure could use a drink right about now. He almost wished this was one of his alcohol-related dreams. He pinched his arm. It hurt. It was no dream.

He pushed himself back from the door and took three deep breaths. “We have to get ourselves the hell out of here.”

The General looked at him. Fear filled his eyes. It was so heavy the captain could smell it like whiskey. That thing had killed the best soldiers on the planet. That thing was leaving havoc in its wake. Clifton tilted, sticking himself slightly out the door again. The creature was no further than three hundred yards away. If they were going to act, best do it now.

“I am heading toward the ship.” The faces of those surrounding him froze in fear.

Neil spoke up first. “We can’t just leave my men.”

The captain laughed. He didn’t mean to laugh. It just happened. “Your men are dead. If Adam couldn’t tame the beast, your men are not half as skilled.”

Neil’s eyes dropped. It wounded him, but the captain figured he would get over it. At least, the captain hoped. He needed help to leave this rock.

“Are you all with me?”

The General stepped up. He tried to display his badge of power. It meant shit now. “Those people will need help.”

The captain really wished for that drink. He wondered if he could make it to the bar on the way to the ship.

“Those people will have to fend for their damn selves. If a gun doesn’t kill that bastard-well, then I don’t plan to try with my bare hands.”

 It wasn’t a coward’s move. It was the move of a man who would like to live. 

“So, who is with me? Because you either come now, or you find your own ship off this rock.” 

He wasn’t bluffing. He hoped he showed that upon his face. This was it. He was leaving. He didn’t need them, but they all needed him. He swallowed the lump of fear inside his throat. Now, he had to will his hand to open the door.

***

     She had been in zoology for… she couldn’t even remember. The thing in the hallway was nothing she like anything she had ever seen. The General had said something that tingled her spine. He thought it looked like Richard Clarkson. The man she served under on this trip. The captain was right. They had to go. Had to leave, and they had to do it now.

“I am with you.” Her words were small. She had always been such a strong woman. Now, she was more sniveling than Sash. She wondered at the big man’s fate. Though she didn’t wonder for long, the growl shook the surrounding walls. The creature advanced as they sat in wonder. She still heard the screams of the others.

     “Let’s go!” She was sure she was ready now. She would not sit here and die. Neil grabbed her arm. Did he do it on purpose? She looked at him. He let go. Why was no one opening that door?

***

     Neil thought of his men. He had known them for so long. He couldn’t believe they were just gone. This trip was supposed to be the big payoff. This was his last off-world trip. He had promised his wife. His hand reached out. He gripped Jennifer’s arm. She looked at him. He let go. What was he thinking? He hadn’t meant that. Had he? He heard another growl and bit his lip. He had to decide now.

     His hand acted on instinct. It opened the door. Those around him screamed.

“Well, we can’t sit around and wait.”

The captain nodded. His breath was still strong with drink. Neil hoped he could even fly a ship.

The monster had a strong resemblance to Richard Clarkson, that was for certain. He didn’t stop to stare any longer than he had to, though. The captain rushed into the hall before them. Jennifer followed. Others crammed through the door as well. The general looked rooted to the floor.

     “You coming, sir?” 

His eyes blinked, but he didn’t move.

Neil smacked him on the shoulder. “Sir!” 

The fear had taken him.

Neil tucked his head and ran after the group. There was nothing he could do. The monster roared behind him. The door to the room ripped off the wall. He heard the general scream. There was nothing for it. He tucked his head and ran faster.

***

The room before him emptied. They ran down the halls. He had cleared the surrounding area. Another creature ran from the room. He seemed to be the last of them. As he glared inside the room, he saw one standing still. The creature didn’t growl. He reached his hands, ripping at the door. He liked the power of it. It clanged beside him. He turned and grabbed the creature by the waist. It growled loudly. He shoved the head of it into his mouth. It didn’t fit, but he bit down anyhow. The crunch beneath his teeth was gratifying. The contents slid down easily. He threw the body down. He would catch them all. 

***

     The captain slammed into the wall. His feet hadn’t carried him so quickly in many years. His head throbbed from the exertion and the drink. He moved down the corridor. The ship was above ground. They would have to take the stairs up. He hurried toward them. The others were at his heels. He heard them breathing hard. Most of them were like him. Out of shape and old, they ran like it as well.

He rounded the last corner. There they were. The stairs. Those metal gateways to heaven. He doubled his pace. Then, he remembered the worst thing that could have happened. The keys to the ship were in his room. They could not rig the new models. There were two sets on the entire planet. One with the general and one in the captain’s lodgings. He had neither. He turned and ran through the people.

“Get to the surface.” They didn’t question him. They continued for the stairs. He heard their feet clattering upward. He wished he could have joined them.

“Where are you going?” Clifton barely avoided running into Neil. The man looked scared. He couldn’t blame him. He could feel his own trepidation inside his belly.

“I forgot the key. I will be right back. Just a quick run back.”

Neil gave him a hard look. “I will head back with you.”

The captain didn’t want him to come, but he didn’t have time to argue.

“I will follow.” Jennifer Daily stood behind them, listening to the conversation.

“Well damn, let’s make it a party.” Why were they so ready to go die with him?

He turned. He would surely die if he didn’t run. His legs carried him as fast as they could move. Neil and Jennifer easily kept pace. They were much younger than him. He rounded a last corner coming into the main corridor. His room was three doors down the main hallway. He could see the finish line. He took off toward it. His hand gripped the knob. It creaked open. Nearby, he heard the growls of that wretched beast.

The key hung by his bed. He grabbed it from the stub for the last time.

“Now we can go.” 

He clutched the key inside his hand. Then, he turned toward the shelf. One drink wouldn’t hurt. He walked to the shelf, grabbing the amber liquid.

“What are you doing?” Jennifer asked. 

He didn’t answer her. He swallowed down the courage. It burned all the way down. He hated the taste. He felt the sudden urge to vomit. He held his breath. It slowly passed.

***

Neil grabbed the bottle from the captain’s hands. 

“You can’t drink this and drive!” His voice sounded angry to his ears. Matter of fact he was angry. What did this idiot think he was doing? The bottle crashed to the floor. The sound vibrated in his ears. He shouldn’t have done that. The growls sounded again nearer than before. Neil pushed the captain toward the door. 

“We better go.” 

The captain didn’t put up a fight, but his face looked flushed.

Jennifer followed them out. They charged down the small main corridor into the lobby. The beast stood in front of them. They dodged to the side. Neil and Jennifer made the move easily. Clifton stumbled. It was that damn drink. His eyes widened further than a man’s eyes should be able to. His hand loosened on the key. He made one last decision. The key flew. Then, the beast bit into his arm. His sharp claws ripped through the captain. Neil caught the key. He hoped driving a ship was a lot easier than it looked.

Without choice, they turned to run. They rounded the last corner. Everyone else had made it up those metal steps. He grabbed Jennifer’s hand. This time he meant to do it. It may be the last time he was to ever able touch her in such a way, and he wanted to at least have done it.

She did not resist him. Instead, they ran hand in hand up the stairs. His body always a stair ahead of hers. The growls grew louder behind them.

***

His hand was sweaty inside hers. He tugged on her a bit, too, tightly. Yet, it comforted her. That beast behind them had just torn the captain in half like a child with a candy bar. She didn’t want to think about it. How were you supposed to forget about something like that? Her feet met the dirt of the planet. The heat existed at all times of the day. The sun near this planet never faded. Night and day were the same, hot, and humid. They kept running. The miners made the path the first month of their arrival. When she still followed Richard’s guidance. What had happened to that man? Something had made him a hideous monster.

She felt her feet pick up speed. They were now shoulder to shoulder. She saw the ship. She let her heart hope. She would see her children again. Her husband. She looked down at her hand. Gripped in with Neil’s, her husband would not approve, but he wasn’t here. She didn’t pull away. The ship’s door opened. People were already safe inside. She heard the distant roar behind her.

***

His feet stopped. The sun beat down upon him. The growl he let loose was something strong from his depths. He shielded his eyes. He could not chase them anymore. Those who had escaped were out of his reach forever. He felt a pang of something, it differed from what he had felt minutes before. He ducked back into the enclosure. He heard the loud roar of something above him. He growled again. The heat hit him in the face. It wasn’t from the sun. He looked above. Something flew. He used to fly. At least he remembered flying. The object moved from his sight. He turned away from the light of the sun. Those few had gotten away. He turned back toward the corridor. There were still plenty left over to feed him. He turned and walked back inside.