The Chronicles of Draylon (4 page)

“This is really strange. Obviously that you're a hybrid and this is surreal, but also because I've always avoided people in my life – probably because I lost my parents, and my grandparents died when I was still relatively young. Deep down though, I've always been sad; I've wanted friendship and love in my life, but have been afraid that I would lose it again, so I put up this wall around me. Now here I am opening up, and I now have someone I can call a friend. It's been a strange couple of weeks, that's for sure, but I wouldn't change a thing. I feel that something has woken up in me and now I'm finally starting to live.”

“This is only the beginning.” Draylon finished off his baked crepe and washed it down with his sparkling water.

“Well, I'm tired, so I think I'm going to head back to the hotel. Are you coming?”

“Yes, but I think I may go out for a run in a while though – make sure that the streets are safe for women and children.” He said the latter in jest, but wondered if anyone did want any help tonight; he toyed with the idea of being more, helping those in need of help, and maybe anonymously being a beacon for good.

Paul made his way up to their room. He fancied watching a little television, and then getting a good night's sleep. He was exhausted by the events in the last 24 hours. Draylon said goodnight and then went out for his run. He thought he'd run around the outskirts of the city and see what was about. When he finally made his way past the crowds of people on The Strip, he found the air was starting to get fresher. He was taking deep, slow breaths and finding his pace. His pulse slowed and he was running along at a fairly fast pace and felt as if he'd never tire. He was running on the outskirts of the city, weaving around some of the back streets, when he heard a whimpering. He could make out a female voice saying, “Please don't, please, please.” He then heard a male voice say, “You might like it, but if you don't shut up, you will never know, understand?”

Draylon darted down the alleyway. A young woman had part of her clothing torn away and the man was trying to rape her. Draylon was horrified and angry beyond belief. He grabbed the man by his throat and pinned him up high and hard. He stared at the man, his eyes an intense blue. “You will never ever do anything like this again, or I'll be back, and I'll strike you with such vengeance that you'll spend the rest of your life whimpering in a dark sealed room.” Draylon touched the man's head, sending a bolt of energy that knocked him clean out. He said to the young woman “Don't worry, you're safe now. Call emergency services and I'll wait with you until they arrive – then I must be off.” The woman called the emergency services and within minutes, the police and an ambulance were coming around the corner. Draylon explained that he had to leave. She smiled at him and said, “Thank you, I will never forget this.” Draylon replied, “Be safe,” and then he ran off around the corner into the night.

Draylon decided to head back to the hotel. After just a few minutes, he came across a homeless man choking on his own vomit. He ran over to him and placed his hand on the vagrant's back. He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing and focused. In seconds, Draylon neutralised the alcohol in the man's body, and the man became responsive again. Draylon told him that the alcohol had nearly killed him. He told him to wait and that he would be back in a short while.

When he returned, he had a bag of food and bottled water for the man. He said to him that money would be better spent on fuel to sustain him, not alcohol – alcohol would poison, corrupt and eventually kill you. Life is precious, he said, and a gift – nurture it. Draylon gave the man 10,000 dollars. He looked the man kindly in the eyes and said, “You have an opportunity now. Get washed up, get some clothes, get a room, get a job, enjoy your life, look around you, smell the fresh air, look at the stars in the sky, there is so much more, farewell.” The man shed a tear and replied, “Thank you, I haven't been shown this much kindness in years, thank you, I promise I'll change, I promise.”

Draylon ran back towards the hotel. He figured it was about time he got some rest. He felt good about helping those people and decided that was what he wanted to do with his life. He felt that he fits in on Earth. He felt at home, and he believed he could make a difference. He knew he would miss Terspheriton, but Earth felt like his home now. He had always felt drawn to Earth – he thought maybe he was more human than alien, although of course on Terspheriton, humans are the aliens. He arrived back at the hotel and made his way to his room. Paul was already asleep, and Draylon tried not to wake him; he climbed into his bed and went out like a light.

It was Monday 17th of January. Draylon woke at eight a.m. He got out of bed and stretched. He decided he'd like to go clothes shopping that day and really push the boat out – all he had was two pairs of jeans, two grey T-shirts and a pair of trainers. He woke Paul up and told him his idea. Paul thought it was a good idea but struggled getting up; he had a lot less energy than Draylon and liked his lie-ins. They decided on breakfast at Caesars and made their way down to the buffet, Draylon's personal choice. Paul opted for a fried breakfast and a pot of tea; Draylon decided on two cinnamon bagels, a coffee and an energy drink for a change.

“I think we should win another 50,000 dollars today, just in case our expedition takes longer than you thought, and we should hire a car,” Paul said excitedly.

Draylon laughed out loud. “OK! A little more money wouldn't hurt, but who gets to choose the car? More importantly, who gets to drive the car?”

“Well I believe I should choose the car being an earthling and knowing more about cars than you, but we could take it in turns driving if you'd like?”

“That sounds fair. I think we should try Planet Hollywood casino today,” said Draylon whilst finishing off his bagel.

“Planet Hollywood it is. I can't wait to get a car, hey – maybe we could go towards Area 51, it's only a few hours from here, I believe.”

“You bet, so long as you promise not to hand me in.”

They finished their breakfast and exited the hotel admiring the fifty-foot Italian cypresses at the entrance as they left. They made their way to Planet Hollywood casino, it was a beautiful day, with not a cloud in the sky, and already the streets were bustling with people. They arrived and were in awe of its nearly three acres of casino. Paul imagined that these places must make a fortune out of people's misfortunes. Draylon decided on a slot machine again so as to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. He put in ten dollars, used his technopathy, and that ten became a hundred, then a thousand. He decided to stop just short of fifty thousand. The accumulative monies now were just over one hundred thousand dollars left. Paul couldn't believe how easy it was. He suggested making a couple of million and retiring. Draylon laughed, saying that although it was a nice idea, a casino was a business. Although it seemed a little immoral at times, people did choose to gamble. He was content with what they had won and suggested doing a little clothes shopping.

They decided to shop for clothes in the Planet Hollywood miracle mile. They found a great store full of jeans, T-shirts, shirts, shoes, and trainers – basically everything that either of them could hope for. They spent almost an hour in there trying on clothes and looking about. Paul eventually decided on a smart black fitted shirt, two decorated black T-shirts and some black Doc Martens shoes. Draylon chose three T-shirts, a black, a red, and a blue one. He also chose a new pair of jeans and some Nike trainers. They paid for their new clothes and then decided to get refreshments. They found a nice café outside on The Strip. Draylon ordered two lattes and a cheese sandwich; Paul ordered a pint of lager and a packet of crisps.

Paul said that he quite fancied hiring an American muscle car and could hardly wait; he looked forward to a bit of power after driving his one-litre Suzuki Alto for seven years. Draylon suggested a yellow one and laughed. Paul said that there was nothing wrong with yellow – it was a happy colour, but said he quite liked the idea of a red or maybe a black one. They paid and tipped the waiter and asked about any hire car companies nearby. The waiter gave them directions to Joe's Car Hire. They thanked him and made their way to the hire company, a couple of miles off The Strip.

They arrived at Joe's. There was an extraordinary selection of large American muscle cars. Paul immediately fell in love with the new 2011 race red Ford Mustang GT.

“This is it, this is the one, let's get it.” Paul found it hard to contain his excitement. Adrenalin started to course his body at the thought of driving such an attractive, powerful machine.

Draylon smiled at Paul's enthusiasm. “OK! I think we should get it for a week. We could go to the outskirts of Area 51, come back to Vegas and then head off to Roswell. I'd like to go to Roswell, what do you think?”

“Sound's perfect! Let's go find Joe.”

They found Joe in the showroom and asked him if the race red Mustang was available for rental for one week. Joe said that it was available but it wasn't cheap. Paul told him they would take it. Paul paid the deposit and rental for a week and gave Joe his driving licence to photocopy. He couldn't help but be surprised at the fact Draylon too, had a driving licence. Draylon handed it over and Joe photocopied it also. Joe handed over the keys and told them both to drive carefully; the Mustang was like a rocket. Paul asked if the stereo was MP3 compatible, Joe replied that it was, the only thing the car didn't do was turbo boost.

Paul laughed. He practically ran out to the car. He got in, started her up, and revved the engine. Paul grinned with satisfaction – it roared like a lion. Draylon got in and suggested they fuel up and head out on that highway toward Area 51. Paul agreed. He connected up his MP3 player, selected a play list, turned up the volume and spun out of the forecourt and onto the main road. The car roared as it sped up to 60 miles an hour in what seemed like a second.

They stopped at the first gas station they found. Paul got out and filled the car to the brim. He went into the shop and got plenty of bottled water, some sandwiches, and of course an energy drink for Draylon. He paid for the fuel and the goods and rushed back out to the car, eager to put the Mustang through its paces out on the open road. Area 51, here we come, he thought to himself.

Draylon and Paul headed out north on route 95. Once they were outside of Vegas, Paul put his foot to the floor. The Mustang roared and they were both pinned to their seats. The car shot past 100 mph, still picking up speed. Paul was exhilarated but a little scared too, and so eased his foot off the gas a little. The car slowed to about 70 mph. In just minutes, they were out into the desert – a very quick transition from being in a busy city. The desert was vast and beautiful and there wasn't another car in sight.

Just forty minutes outside of Vegas, they came to a town called Indian Springs. They decided to stop for a while. Paul noticed a store selling Indian artefacts and decided to go in and have a look around; Draylon said that he would wait outside and enjoy the sunshine. Paul was looking around the shop at all of the Indian relics and came across a knife. He felt the blade – it was very sharp. For some reason, he felt drawn to it and decided to buy it. The shopkeeper put the knife in a bag for him and wished him a pleasant day. Outside the shop, Draylon was sitting by the front wheel of the car. Paul asked if he was comfortable down there. Draylon smiled and suggested they hit the road, as it was already fast approaching five in the afternoon.

Draylon decided it was his turn to drive for a while. He told Paul to fasten his seat belt; he was going to see what the Mustang was capable of. He pulled out of Indian Springs slowly and headed out onto the main highway. There were no other vehicles in sight. He stopped the car and asked Paul for some music. Paul put on his MP3 player. As the music started, Draylon put his foot to the floor. The car roared, the wheels spun on the spot and then there was traction; the Mustang shot off like a bat out of hell, and Paul and Draylon were thrown back on their seats. The car hit 100mph in seconds. It was still accelerating well past 130, and then Draylon decided to ease off. Paul looked as white as a ghost and Draylon laughed out loud. Paul took a deep breath and let out a nervous laugh, glad that they were starting to slow down.

“I thought you liked cars and speed?” Draylon mused.

“Yes, I like my life too though,” Paul laughed.

They went past a sign saying Mercury, Nevada. Paul explained that's where they did the atom bomb tests in the 50s – a small dirt road was all that connected Mercury to the highway. Draylon stopped the car and stood outside in the sun. It felt like the middle of nowhere, Paul got out of the vehicle also.

“Why did we stop?”

“I was just curious.” Draylon closed his eyes and took deep breaths. “As I suspected, this place still isn't safe to inhabit – I can sense the radiation levels. It could be many years until this stretch of land is truly safe.”

“Then why are we still here? Let's go!”

“The levels of radiation are very low, we're safe, but long term it could be harmful to one's health.”

They got in the car and headed off again. Paul pointed out the radars and listening posts on the mountains. He said that they must be getting close to Area 51 now. They went past a junction for Route 160 and saw a sign for fireworks in a place called Pahrump, but decided not to stop. Draylon could feel the wind blowing off the desert. It caused the car to swerve slightly from time to time and so he kept the speed down to 60 mph. After a short while on the road, Draylon could make out another services in the distance. He decided they were going to stop – he quite fancied a coffee.

When they arrived, Paul pointed out a sign with a picture of an alien on it saying, “Last service station before Area 51.” They parked the car up and went in the little café to get some refreshments; Draylon ordered a coffee and Paul a pot of tea.