It was soon Robert and Evelyn's birthday. Both were excited about turning eighteen, their futures appeared bright as they made preparation to attend college. William was a little sad watching them grow into young independent adults. He wished them every happiness and success along whatever path they chose to follow. He knew it would not be easy for them to lead normal productive lives. He was glad they were sticking together and would have each other to rely on as they entered college.
Jessica was also excited for them but if she was honest with herself it was for the thought they would be moving away to college. Seeing them everyday brought up too many memories she wanted to forget. She was overwhelmed with distrust, seeing them as being connected to the aliens and would forever hold a threat to her family. They were beyond her ability to reach and she hoped out of her sight and mind as well.
A few months later they attended the graduation ceremony. William was so proud of his as listened to Roberts speech as the class valedictorian. It had been difficult for Robert to make up the work he had missed during his abduction but with a lot of work and determination he pulled it off. The class also voted him most likely to never leave home. This was partly do to his shy nature and his repeated refusal to attend any of his classmates parties. He had never been comfortable being in the limelight and since he had been abducted he was in high demand as a party guest. Everyone wanted to ask him questions about the aliens and he just wanted to forget it ever happened.
Evelyn was voted most likely to take over the world. No doubt referring to her being an alien and that's what aliens do, take over the world. Evelyn had gotten used to being different and the experiences she endured during the abduction scare helped her develop a resilient attitude where she no longer needed the approval of her peers. Charlie had dumped her when she needed a friend the most and that hurt worse than watching her other friends desert her. She knew when Robert returned to school he would be the object of morbid curiosity.
She made it her responsibility to keep a watchful eye out for Robert. She knew all the unwanted attention unnerved him and would rather everyone just left him alone. She would just march into any mob of students and take Robert by the hand and pull him out. No one ever tried to stop her, no doubt afraid she had some strange alien ability that she would use against them. If she had any such abilities she would use them in order to protect her brother.
Once all the festivities were done for the night the family gathered to take family pictures. William had one made and framed and gave both Evelyn and Robert a copy to take with them. William was proud of his children and all of their accomplishments. He couldn't wait to see where their lives would lead them.
They arrived a the dorm early to get settled in and unpacked. They had mixed feelings as they said goodbye to their Dad. Robert hoped he'd be accepted as just another student and not as the guy who was abducted by aliens. It seemed that his life so far had been one crises after another, warranting all kinds of unwanted attention. He wasn't cut out to be a celebrity and much preferred to be left alone.
Evelyn hoped she'd meet someone who would look beyond her appearance. She was used to being the center of attention just because of how she looked and it all seemed so shallow. She wanted to meet someone who would look beyond the surface and take the time to get to know her as a person.
"Well now if it isn't the Green Meanie," a familiar voice said.
Looking up Evelyn felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into the startling blue eyes of Shon Olivia. "Shon? It's so good to see you." She turned to Robert to see if he recognized Shon when she noticed he was standing staring at a girl who had just entered from the foyer. Shaking her head at her brother, she ran up to Shon to give him a hug. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
"It's good to see you too. How's the family?"
"Good for the most part. I'm sure you read all about the abduction."
"Yeah you could hardly avoid it. How's he doing?" Shon asked nodding his head towards Robert.
"Better then expected really. He gets really nervous surrounded by people he doesn't know. You know how shy he is."
"Painfully shy if I remember right. I guess we'll have to keep a watchful eye out for him." Shon suggested still looking towards Robert, "although it looks like he may have found himself a guardian angel."
Turning to look Evelyn noticed Robert was deep in conversation with the girl he had been staring at earlier. "Who is she?"
"Don't you recognize her?" Shon asked surprised "that's Patricia Bradford, you know, his old girlfriend from Aurora Skies." Smirking a little he continued "looks like the old sparks still there."
"Patricia?" Robert asked astonished hardly believing his eyes.
The girl stopped staring at the boy who said her name. A smiled spread across her face as she recognized him. "Rob is that really you?"
"In the flesh," Robert quipped. "What's wrong?" he asked as she continued to stare.
Shaking her head she said "Nothing. Just making sure you don't have a drink in your hand that you could spill on me."
"I could get one, if you like." They both laughed as they remembered how they first met. "At least this time you'd be able to change, unless this isn't your dorm."
"It is," she confirmed smiling looking forward to seeing him everyday. If felt good to talk to someone who knew her and not someone just out to impress her or someone wanting to get close to her to get information about her or her family.
Glancing at his watch Robert said "It's about time to go to the Freshman meet and greet. Would you like to walk over together."
"Sure I'd like that," they left the Dorm together walking slowly to the student union building, deep in conversation. Upon arriving they stood in line for the schedules discussing their major as they waited. They were surprised that they were both majoring in fine arts and would no doubt of several of the same classes.
"We can study together," Robert suggested then amended "that is if you want to."
"I think that would be a wonderful idea," Patricia said smiling up at Robert.
Looking over her schedule comparing it to his, Robert said "you have a few other classes than I do."
"Yeah that's my Mom's idea. She insisted I have a fall back plan just in case I don't make it as an artist. So I'm taking some classes in education."
"Then you could be an art teacher," Robert joked. "I'm taking a few business courses to be able to manage the business side of things."
They continued to talk as they climbed the stairs. Seeing the ping pong table Patricia asked "Would you like to play?"
"Um," Robert hesitated blushing as he looked at Patricia afraid she would think he was an idiot. "I don't know how, I've never played before."
"There's nothing to it. I'll show you," Patricia smiled setting his concern to rest. He played a round until someone else wanted to play the winner, which as expected was Patricia. While Patricia was playing Robert found himself alone in front of an easel and began to paint while he waited for the game to be done.
Evelyn and Shon had followed them to the Student Union building.
"What are you majoring in?" Evelyn asked.
"Criminal justice and you?"
"Technology," Evelyn said quietly.
"Cool you can make my super hero gadgets so's I can catch the bad guys," Shon said laughing.
"Oh I could probably whip up a gadget or two," Evelyn smiled trying not to think about how dangerous law enforcement could be. She'd hate for anything bad to happen to him.
They continued to talk catching up on old times. Neither noticed the lapses in conversation as each got caught up in their own thoughts. Looking at her Shon couldn't help but see how beautiful she had become. He wondered how it would feel to run his hands along her soft, supple skin and to kiss her lips. Shaking his head telling himself how wrong it was to be having those thoughts about Sydney's little sister.
Evelyn stood there thinking how easily it would be to become lost in his eyes. They were the most amazing shade of blue, she could gaze into them forever. If only he would look at her the way she remembered him looking at her sister.
Robert spent two months in the hospital under the care of Gene's doctor learning to cope with the experiences he went through. Scientists arrived to analyze him, Robert became agitated and had to be sedated. The doctor notified William that there was nothing he could do to prevent the scientist from performing their analysis on him and suggested it might go better for Robert if he were there to calm Robert as much as possible.
William arrived early only to find armed guards waiting for him as he entered the lobby. "You set me up," he screamed at the doctor as he tried to get away.
"Mr. Bennett I'm sorry. I had no idea they wanted you too. I thought it would help your son having you here," Doctor Jankowski explained as he watched the guards subdue William and lead him away. Following behind the doctor tried to reason with the scientists hoping for a peaceful solution.
"You can't do this. They have rights."
"Doctor we agreed to let you observe but we will decide what's necessary. We need to know what the aliens are up to. Homeland Security trumps the rights of the individual."
The doctor had no choice but to stand down. He observed everything knowing it would help once he was left with the mental anguish to deal with.
He watched helplessly as both father and son fought against their restraints and continued to struggle until the sedatives took affect. It reinforced his opinion that whatever they endure was against their will and were more than likely tied down while the aliens had them. His next observation was startling and even without being a medical doctor he could tell that both had undergone extensive surgery and their bodies were modified. The scientists attempted to remove the modifications but to no avail as the aliens must have built in a self healing agent into the modifications so that it couldn't be removed. It must have been connected into their bodies somehow as the more they tried it weakened them and they finally had to give up when William went into cardiac arrest followed shortly by Robert.
To give the scientists their due they fought just as hard to save their lives as they did to remove the modifications. Seeing that they couldn't remove the modifications without jeopardizing their lives the scientists had to content themselves with making observations. They compared them with the other abductees to figure out why their modifications were successful and the others were not. They also discovered that Robert's body held signs that he had been taken apart and put back together. They saw this before with Mr. Middleborrow who had been severed, put back together and rejuvenated days after he had expired. If they could only discover how the aliens were able to do this, they would be able to advance medicine radically. Exhausting all their tests and analysis they wheeled them out to recovery. Once they were awake they bombarded them with questions that left William and Robert confused and bewildered.
Slowly the panic subsided and the officials ruled that the Bennett family were not threats to national security. The media frenzy continued as they competed with each other for interviews and movie rights. Despite this life slowly started to come back to normal after William and his sons were released from the hospital. They continued to see the doctor who helped them through this difficult time.
Before leaving the hospital Gene convinced Robert to be daring and try something different. When they showed up packed and ready to go home William grinned at them smothering a laugh as he noticed their changed appearance. Gene had colored his hair black and green and Robert now had an odd mix of lavender, blue and white. Personally William thought it was awful but as long as they were happy they could have whatever hair color they wanted. Their mother on the other hand was a whole other story.
"William why on earth did you let them do that to their hair?" Jessica demanded as soon as they came home.
"Jessica calm down, it's only hair."
"But they look ridiculous."
The boys rolled their eyes at their mother bursting into fits of laughter over her reaction.
"Aren't you glad to see us?" Robert asked.
"Of course I am," Jessica said belatedly giving each boy a hug, trying to hide the cringe she felt as their arms went around her. These weren't her sons she thought and she didn't want them to be. They were alien to her, as good as dead, lost to her forever.
Sitting across from Gene, Jessica tried to engage him in conversation. "How was school?"
"Fine," Gene mumbled wondering why his mother was even attempting to talk to him. It's not like she cared about him. She never once visited him while he was in the hospital. Not for six months like everyone else did. It was his dad and Robert who came most often and gave him the encouragement he needed to get better. From his mother all he got was silence.
"Good that's good," Jessica took a bite of her salmon wondering what else she could say. Eyeing Gene for possible signs of agitation and aggression she nervously waited for him to attack. Suddenly she blurted out "When are you getting rid of that awful hair color?"
"I like it," Gene said into his plate afraid to look up to see that disapproving look she always gave him. He knew he would never have her approval not after that awful night. She would never believe he had changed. Gulping his food down he hastily cleared his plate and left.
Jessica sat watching him go. Sighing deeply she briefly wondered what happened to her rambunctious little boy.
William felt the gulf widening between the boys and their mother. In an attempt to help he suggested that he take her away for a romantic weekend in a little village in France. One night while they enjoyed the local cuisine William asked "Honey what's wrong?"
"What? Nothing. This is a beautiful place."
"I'm glad you like it but that's not what I meant. You've grown so distant with the boys and I'd like to know why."
Shrugging Jessica looked away "They've changed."
"Not that much. They need their mother," William fell silent as Jessica glared at him.
"Don't you think I know that? I just can't connect with them. All I see when I look at Gene is a violent, dangerous young man who attacked his father. Not my little boy, he's gone, lost forever."
"Jessica you know ..."
"I know you say he didn't mean it but I can't help how I feel," she swiped a tear from her cheek as she continued "Robert is different. The aliens changed him. He's not my son anymore."
"He's no more different than I am. You never left my side when I was abducted, why is it different with Robert?"
"I don't know. I'm so confused."
Taking her hand William said "Honey you need to talk to someone before your feelings alienate you from your children."
Shaking her head Jessica began to say something when William's phone began to ring. When the call was finished William turned to Jessica, anguish written on his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked in a shrill voice as panic gripped her.
"There's been a fire at the house," William spoke in a calm clear voice.
"Are the kids alright?" she shouted at him.
"Yes I think so. At least I hope so," William said a little confused. "They wouldn't say over the phone, just repeated we needed to get back as soon as possible."
"Oh god this can't be happening again," Jessica said collapsing into a heap on the cafe floor.
A police officer met them at the airport explaining he was there to escort them to the hospital.
Heart beating fast William gripped the officers arm asking "The officer I spoke with said the children were ok. But if we're going to the hospital someone was hurt. What happened?"
Discerning the worry in their eyes the officer gently removed William's hand from his arm as he said "the fire was caused by a meteor landing in your backyard. The heat radiating from it set off small fires. Evidently the children were awakened by the crash and went outside to investigate. Your son Gene got too close and his clothes caught fire. He has a few first and second degree burns. He apparently panicked and started to run. It could have been worse except for the quick thinking of your oldest boy, Robert. He threw him into the pool to extinguish the fire."
"But they're alright?" William managed to ask again.
"Yes both boys are ok. Gene insisted on seeing Doctor Jankowski; and Robert refused to leave his side. I promised him I would bring you to the hospital as soon as you arrived."
"The other children?" William asked.
"They're fine. Evelyn is taking good care of them."
William sighed in relief turning to Jessica who hadn't said more then two syllables the entire flight. She was shaking and pale staring blindly ahead. "Honey the children are all ok," William repeated.
Slowly her eyes moved towards him as she fell into his arms crying "I was so scared. I couldn't bear the thought of losing another of my babies."
William held her as on lookers watched. Finally the officer nudged William's shoulder "Sir we really should be going."
Gene spent two weeks in the hospital talking with Jankowski about his anxiety that had become uncontrollable since the fire. Finally agreeing to go home, Gene jumped at every unfamiliar noise and refused to go near any source of heat for fear of catching on fire. His dreams were plagued with images of fire and he'd wake soaked in sweat. Once he woke he couldn't go back to sleep, he'd lie there staring up at the ceiling. Why couldn't he get a grip on reality without having to rely upon Jankowski?
Sometimes he'd hear Robert get up and go into the kitchen. Then he'd get up and join him asking "What are you doing up?"
Shrugging Robert said "bad dreams."
"Aliens?" Gene asked.
Nodding Robert would ask "and you?"
"Fire," Gene would acknowledge.
Chuckling softly Robert said "Better not tell Mom. She'll have us into see Jankowski again.
"I wonder how Dad manages sleeping in the same room with her?" Gene wondered aloud.
"Same as you. Spend hours staring at the ceiling." William said from behind them startling both boys as they sat at the kitchen table. "I see I'm not the only one not able to sleep."
"Join the party," Robert said pulling out a chair for his Dad to sit.
They talked for a while until Robert and William felt they could go back to sleep. Gene agreed although he knew he would just lay there waiting for morning to arrive.
Gene dragged himself out of bed with enough time to throw some clothes on and race to the bus. By mid morning he was fighting sleep, his head nodding as he lost the battle. Someone tapped his shoulder, startled Gene jerked awake.
"Dude calm down," Julie whispered "You can't afford another demerit for sleeping in class."
"You're right," Gene said shaking his head to wake himself up. "Thanks."
After class Julie was waiting for him. "I have something that might help you stay awake." She handed Gene a small bottle of pills. "Just take one and it'll keep you going all day and when it runs out of your system you'll crash and have no problems sleeping."
"That sounds like heaven to me," Gene grinned as he popped one into his mouth.
"If you need more let me know and I'll hook you up."
"Sure thanks again," Gene said as he started towards his next class.
The waiting for Robert to return was becoming more difficult with each passing day. William lay awake staring into the dark, listening to the even breathing of his wife sleeping beside him. Worry knotted his stomach as he wondered what was happening to Robert and he feared the aliens were becoming more bold and terrifying in their quest to solve their reproduction problem. The night Robert was taken several other citizens of Barnacle Bay were abducted as well.
He could still feel the shock when the Police came pounding on their door demanding to know why aliens were abducting people. Their angry, hate filled eyes as they accused Evelyn for the disappearances of their family and friends. William couldn't believe they were so willing to accuse an innocent girl, just because she looked different from everyone else. She was the embodiment of their fears and an accessible target to vent their anger on. They didn't seem to care that her brother, his son was also among the victims. All they could see was an alien girl living among them. It was affecting everyone in the family, Casey was getting into fights everyday at school, defending his sister the only way he knew how. Beverly was coping but was finding it difficult as her friends abandoned her but she refused cave in to peer pressure and stood by her sister. Evelyn would come home every day in tears from the treatment she was receiving from both the students and teachers.
William briefly considered sending her away to a private school but decided against it, knowing the fear, distrust and hate would follow her where ever she went. The abductions were happening everywhere and people were living in fear of being taken from their homes. To protect his family from unwanted attention and physical attacks William consulted a security firm. With body guards accompanying them where ever they went the children were no longer being bullied at school but were now isolated from everyone around them. They had become notorious overnight because of their sister, the half alien child and the man her gave birth to her. They were constantly bombarded by people wanting to interview them, take their pictures and scientists wanting to analyze them.
Sighing into the darkness William asked himself for the hundreth time why they couldn't just leave them alone? Couldn't they see they were suffering too? His son was among those abducted and the longer the aliens kept him the more convinced William became that he would never see his son again. His only consolation in all of this was that Gene was protected from all of this turmoil going on around them. His doctor insisted that Gene not be told about Robert's abduction for fear of undoing what progress he had already made in coping with stressful situations.
It was becoming more difficult to hide the truth from him as the days grew into weeks. William kept up his visits and pretending everything was normal was wearing thin and Gene was growing frustrated and angry over why Robert no longer came to see him.
"Where's Robert? Why doesn't he come to visit me any more?" Gene asked for a third time looking intently at his father.
"He had a lot of homework to do and a test he had to study for." William explained.
"He always has homework. Why don't you just come out and say it. He just doesn't want to see me. Too embarrassed by his crazy brother_"
"Gene you know that isn't true..."
"Yes it is or he'd be here. I thought he cared about me. He's just like mom. He hates me doesn't he?"
"No Gene you're wrong. He'd be here if he could."
"Then why isn't he? Where is he? He said he wouldn't abandon me but he has. I knew he would despite everything he said." Gene paced around the room before slumping into a corner to sulk.
William stood there looking at his son, knowing he couldn't let Gene believe that his brother abandoned him. Looking up William prayed he was doing the right thing when he went against doctors orders and told Gene about the aliens.
Jumping up in agitation Gene shouted "You're putting me on! Mess with the crazy kids head and see if he'll crack, right?"
"Gene I know how it sounds," William said trying to calm him down. "God I wish it were just a bad joke but it's not. Robert has been gone for four weeks now."
Staring at his father trying to breath as his heart beat faster and louder drowning out his fathers voice. Finding his voice Gene asked "Why didn't you tell me? I've been thinking the worst of him and all the time he's been god knows where!"
"I'm sorry the doctor was afraid of how it would effect you and we didn't want to worry you."
"But you'd rather I think that Robert didn't care about me. Afraid that I would melt down because I might not be able to handle the truth. What if he never comes back? What would you have done then?" Stopping as a thought struck him Gene almost stopped breathing as he asked "That's why you're telling me now isn't? You don't think he's ever coming back don't you?"
The weeks of stress and anticipating Roberts return finally became too much as William burst into tears. He was dimly aware of Gene putting his arms around him as he wept. When he calmed a little Gene said to him "I want to come home."
Drying tears from his cheeks William shook his head "No son you're better off here."
"But Dad_"
"I know you want to help but the best thing you can do right now is to get better."
"But..."
"Please son do this for me. I really can't handle anymore stress right now. With you here I know you're safe. Can you do that for me?"
Sighing loudly Gene mumbled that he would, clearly not happy but wanting to help in any way he could. "You'll tell me as soon as you know anything?"
"Of course I will," William said pulling Gene close. As he held his son William hoped he would have the chance to hug Robert again. His shoulders shook as he tried to control the involuntary sob as his mind shied away from the thought that Robert was never coming home.
Another week went by leaving William frustrated and exhausted with worry. Late one night William was watching TV when a special broadcast broke through "We interrupt your regularly scheduled program for this special announcement. It was been confirmed by authorities that the missing citizens of Barnacle Bay and other abductees from other towns across the country have been returned. Three days ago they were found wandering around the fair grounds and have been taken to the local hospital for observation ...." Three days? Why wasn't he notified? Where was Robert? He watched as pictures of the abductees were flashed across the screen as he tuned into the voice on the TV "It has been reported that one of the abductees was not returned, Robert Bennett is still missing. Leading one to ask was he actually abducted or did something else happen? Was it a cover up for a more sinister crime. This throws a shadow on his half-alien sister, did she do something to him and is the family covering it up?"
Overcome with rage William threw the remote at the TV screen. As he watched it shatter, William fell to his knees sobbing "Where's my son? Why didn't you bring him back?" Giving into to despair William wept for his son.
"Dad are you alright?"
Startled by the familiar voice William jumped to his feet exclaiming "Oh my god." William swayed on his feet as blood drained from his head as he realized who was standing before him. The individual reached out to keep William from falling. William grabbed him and held him tight asking "Is it really you?" He looked at the familiar face as if he were seeing a ghost. Tears streamed down his cheeks as William hugged Robert tight saying in a strangled voice full of emotion "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
Relishing the feeling of safety, Robert leaned into to his Fathers embrace. He felt his Father's shoulders shake as he sobbed causing him to grow concerned "Dad what's wrong? Did something happen to Gene?"
"What? No," William pulled back looking at Robert in concern. "I'm so happy that your home, you've been gone so long."
"What do you mean? I just got up to get something to drink," Robert explained stopping as he realized something. "I thought you were going to visit Gene. Why are you home? Something happened and your not telling me."
"That was over five weeks ago. Don't you remember anything of the time you were gone?" William asked looking deeply into his son's eyes seeing the confusion and fear building in them.
Pushing away from his father, Robert shuffled around the room mumbling "How could I be gone for over five weeks and not remember?" Turning to his Father, seeking help as the darkness threatened to overwhelm him "What happened to me?"
William wrapped his arms around him seeking to calm him as he said "Son it's going to be alright. I'm going to call Gene's doctor and set up an appointment with him. You trust him, don't you?"
Robert nodded his head in agreement. He stood there lost and confused as he heard his Father call the doctor. Absently he wandered around the room, turning on the radio hoping to distract his disquieting thoughts. The radio announcer was rehashing the news announcements "The local high school will be happy to know Mr. Middleborrow will be returning to resume his tenure as the English teacher ..." Robert stood there shaking muttering "No that isn't right he's, he's .... dead."
Still talking on the phone with the doctor, William noticed the rising agitation in Robert as he stood there shaking. Asking the doctor to hold, he approached Robert "Son is something the matter?"
Looking in the direction of his Father's voice Robert opened his mouth and screamed locked onto the horrifying image in his mind as he was once again on the alien ship seeing the dead body of his English teacher. "Doctor we're coming now," William said into the phone as he threw it down he grabbed Robert before he collapsed on the floor.
