Generation 2, Chapter 10

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.