In the wee hours of the morning they walked along the fence, looking for anything they could find that might be of use.
“This is ridiculous,” said Temposia. “We need to find someone who will help us.”
The others looked at her like she was insane.
“It isn’t like we’re murderers. We are political prisoners. They will understand,” she continued.
“Will they understand?” Rylon asked. “As soon as they see our clothing they’ll know we’re not from here.”
“You’d be surprised,” said Temposia. “They wear more than just jeans and tee shirts. They’ll think we look like rock stars.”
“Actually, it is technically what they called Glam Rock,” said Heromonia. Usually nobody listened to Heromonia because she was so annoying but she had a point.
After the crash they’d all been quieter than usual, including Heromonia who never seemed to shut up.
Suddenly they all looked up. In the yard of one of the houses a woman sat in the dark, in a large chair, on her large deck. A large gray cat sat on her lap.
“Hello,” Temposia called up to her. “We’ve been in an accident. We need help. We’re not here to set up a homeless camp.”
The woman stood up. She was wearing jeans and a green jacket. Her hair was gray, but her face didn’t look old. “I saw the crash. Flames went out pretty fast, before anyone could call 911. Jeez, I can tell you aren’t homeless. You all OK?”
“We were on a prison transport. We’re political prisoners. They were going to remove most of our brain function and dump us here,” said Temposia.
“They were looking for you,” said the woman.
“You saw them? Did they say anything?” Temposia asked.
“I’m surprised they didn’t kill you,” said Rylon.
“They said they were transporting prisoners. Then they asked if I’d seen anyone. There was something off with them. My cat Burt here started to growl. When Burt growls I know something is off. Then they pulled out their weapons.”
The three escapees gasped.
“I shot them,” said the woman. “Then the coyotes came and got them. We have giant coyotes out there. Some weight in at 200 pounds. Even the bears don’t mess with them.”
“Bears don’t eat coyotes,” said Hermonia.
“Your World Book Encyclopedia set is out of date honey,” said the woman. “By the time information gets to you everything is out of date. Yeah, I used to work for NASA, and I have a PhD in Astrophysics.” She turned on a light. A huge telescope was next to her. “I’ve been watching you. I know your plight.”
Temposia gasped, “What? How?”
“There was another crash about five years ago. Two others survived. Leon and Dalmony. Do you know them?”
“Dalmony is my sister. I thought she was dead,” said Rylon. “Where is she?”
“They’re fine,” said the woman. “They don’t live far from here. Last month they opened a gumbo restaurant. It is really popular.”
“Gumbo?” Rylon looked confused.
“It is sort of like the best food you’ll ever eat,” said the woman. “Dalmony told me about you. The gate is right over there. Come on up. I’ll call Dalmony, and we’ll set you up.”
Far away on a distant planet the citizens wondered if it was the end of days. Anyone with deviant ideas would be sent away to other planets. Some suspected they were just jettisoned into space, to float around forever dead. All of their rights had been taken away. Those who fought back were sent to camps, thrown into prison, or transported far far away. It was heart breaking.
The woman knew all about this. She’d fought hard in the mid 2000’s to keep that from happening on Earth. The battle against ignorance and hate wasn’t easy, but in the end her side had more or less won. After thousands of years, finally, humanity learned to be human.
The cat followed them into the house where she made coffee and a big breakfast, complete with French toast, eggs, strawberries, and potatoes, for the travel weary guest.
Aside from their crystalline colored eyes, they looked like her, not alien weirdos with green skin, and huge staring eyes, and mouths too small to eat an apple without cutting it up.
All they wanted was peace. With her help that is what they’d have. They’d traveled far enough. They deserved it. Everyone deserved it. She told the visitors that they were safe. If they believed her that would be a small victory. It was hard to trust anyone after what they’d been through.
Out in the woods the coyotes slept with bellies full, and strange dreams about a cold night sky that went on forever.
~ end
Vampire Maman 