Down to Earth

An alien is brought to Earth as a punishment, sentenced to a life of continual metamorphosis

 

Agonising human screams mingled with the snarling of the leopard as it savaged the young hunter.  Aromatic traces of the cat’s previous meal expelled on the breath as it growled and lunged for the man’s throat.   The tangled mass of limbs rolled around on the loose dirt in a life and death battle.  Zak repeatedly reminded himself during the struggle that he was the master of his own future. 

            The hunter managed to pull his large knife from the sheath but could only scream in frustration and defiance when a claw slashed it from his grip.  Desperate fingers dug into the sand as the man stretched to reach his rifle.  The predator’s breath was moist and warm.  Powerful feline claws pinned the man down before delivering him to his fate.

            A tiny blue mosquito landed on a nearby branch.  It appeared to be observing the aftermath of the scene, sitting quite still, facing the settling dust in the natural arena.  The mosquito had flown in close during the conflict.  It was narrowly missed by a swipe from a claw then backed off. 

 

            Sprawled on the ground, mouth agape, gulping in air, Zak moved only his eyes to observe the immediate area.  A metamorphosis was taking place.  Here we go again, he thought.  He looked at his body but he wasn’t solid.  There was a tingling sensation all over and his form seemed to be changing slowly.  An area of coloured mist remained hovering over him.  It was a golden haze with dark spots.  It appeared briefly as a beautiful leopard.  Large teeth were bared then the creature dematerialised.  Zak felt a strange empathy for the creature.  That emotion soon passed.   

            Zak pressed his fingers to his eyes and rubbed.  When he looked at himself again he realised he was now a complete being.  A hunting rifle was on the ground a few metres away.  Zak took several deep breaths, extended his arms, flexed his fingers, then bent his arms and straightened them several times.  His mouth and throat were parched. 

            He got to his feet and paused, before staggering unsteadily to the nearby stream.  When he knelt and saw the reflection, his eyes narrowed and his lips curled.  A human with dark hair, blue eyes and tanned skin wearing a khaki green outfit.  He scooped water in both hands drinking greedily then stood up. 

            Whilst looking at this new body in wonder, Zak started to explore it tentatively with his fingers.  There were no scratches or bites and no blood on him or his clothing.  He closed his eyes tightly then opened them wide several times.  Feeling invigorated he hoped to understand what was going on before he encountered another creature at close quarters.

            An hour later as Zak walked along a dirt track he noticed a tiny blue mosquito buzz close to his head.  Was it his imagination or had there been a mosquito nearby when he had become the leopard?  He looked briefly at the insect before gazing in wonder at the myriad creatures around him and in the distance.  

 

            Inside the blue mosquito two microscopic beings nodded approval as they saw that Zak had transposed successfully again.  Trin said to his companion, 'Mission accomplished.  Let’s go home.’

            'I agree the mission is accomplished,' Norg said, 'but I’d like to observe longer.'

            'No!’ Trin insisted.  ‘We should get away from this strange world.  Zak has been sentenced to a life of metamorphosis on this foreign planet.  Isn't that enough?'

            'I’m interested to know if he realises what his sentence is.’ Norg admitted.  ‘That’s why I’d like to watch a while before we go.' 

            'Our mission was to deliver him on planet earth as a lesser being.’

            ‘Well you must admit,’ Norg said, ‘we had to see what happened after the monkey incident.  That was funny.  When Zak woke up on that flower as a wasp, he never got to take flight before the monkey lifted the flower and swallowed him.  I still can’t understand how he survived as the monkey?  He should have been finished �".’

            ‘Not so fast my friend,’ Trin interrupted, ‘if he terminates another creature, irrespective of size, he becomes that creature.  His previous form simply dissolves.’

            Norg nodded in understanding.  ‘So he must have used the tiny insect sting as he was being swallowed.’

            ‘Correct!’ Trin cried, ‘That is why our instruments showed him to be alive and moving.  He was no longer the insect... the monkey’s throat swelled rapidly and killed it.  Zak then replaced the monkey.’

            ‘Okay, that explains how he managed to avoid being terminated by the monkey.  I still cannot see how he was able to kill that big spotted cat.’

            ‘When he leapt off the branch as a monkey he perched on a different tree and ate some red berries.  He had no time to digest them before the leopard struck.  It may be that those berries are edible for birds and monkeys, but fatally poisonous for the big cat.’

            ‘He really does have an instinct doesn’t he?’ Norg said in awe of the criminal.   

            ‘He does,’ Trin agreed, ‘and for that reason I think Zak is as dangerous here as he was on our planet.  We should go now and leave him to his future.’

            'I understand your misgivings Trin, but I would like to watch for longer.’

            ‘Very well,’ Trin sighed, ‘we will watch for one more earth hour then we go home.’

 

            A jeep pulled up alongside the young hunter.  The driver was a beautiful auburn haired woman in khaki.  She leaned across and called, 'Looking for a lift handsome?'

            The hunter appraised the young driver whilst climbing into the vehicle.  He said in a halting style, 'Thank... you... I am Zak.'  He was becoming accustomed to his latest host body as he looked across at the creature beside him.  Zak felt strange stirrings deep within.  This other being was similar to him in some respects.  It had the long appendages.  The head had longer hair and the face had a mystical quality that made him want to get closer to it.  The body shape was different and looking at it gave him the urge to get closer … to touch it … do things to it... with it ….

            ‘My name is Linda.  You haven’t seen a woman for a while have you Zak?’ 

            ‘No Lin... da... , no, I have not.’ Zak sounded robotic, trying to master this language.

            There was a slight pause as they looked at each other.

            'It’s survival!' Zak shouted.  'I've been...  given... another... chance.'

            ‘Given another chance at what?’ the young woman asked mystified.

            ‘I don’t... think... you would... understand.’ Zak responded in a dreamlike voice. 

            Whilst the truck bumped along the rutted track kicking up dust neither of the people saw the small blue insect land on the back seat.  Two miniscule beings within the mosquito were silently exchanging glances and observing the couple closely.

 

            For a while as they drove, Zak stared hungrily at the woman, taking in her every curve, listening to every word.  He resisted the urge to reach out and caress, touch and squeeze the interesting parts of her that swelled under her loose shirt.  There was a conflict in Zak’s mind about her presence.  One moment he wanted to do things with her and then seconds later felt an urge to use his mouth to taste her.  Was she a mate?  Was she prey?  He would be patient.  Perhaps she would produce the answers for him.  He noticed when she looked at him she displayed her teeth and her eyes sparkled.       

            The small truck parked up outside a wooden building and the couple went indoors. 

            ‘This is my place Zak.’ Linda said.  ‘We’ll stop here for a bite to eat then we’ll go into town to check out your amnesia.  Somebody somewhere must be missing you.’  She looked the muscular young man up and down slowly, arched an eyebrow and suggested provocatively, ‘If you were mine I’d know you were missing.’

            Zak caught the wistful look and advanced towards the young seductress.  He held his arms out, not sure why.  When Linda’s warm and supple body pressed against his and her hungry lips reached up to meet his he responded naturally.  He would avoid the death of this creature for as long as possible.  Zak found it pleasurable to touch the flesh of this creature with his lips.   It was sufficient for now, but things might change. 

            'Wow!' Linda gasped as she pushed away seconds later.  'You are eager.  Slow down so we can enjoy the moment.  I'll undress you so you don't tear any more clothing.'

            As the stunning safari worker removed the strange khaki material Zak looked down at himself and saw the appendage that was the source of his latest feeling of exhilaration.  Now he was eager to see more of Linda.

            'You undress me Zak.' Linda breathed before sinking the edges of beautiful white teeth into her bottom lip and leading him to the bedroom.

            Zak tore at the outfit until the exquisite female was standing before him naked.  Physical instinct took over.  This Linda would not be prey, at least until he had performed this exciting ritual.  He felt an urge that he should attempt to become one with her.  Linda pulled him forward and they fell together onto the large bed.  Zak took pleasure from the low moaning sounds and the expression that appeared on Linda’s face as his tongue and lips explored her body.  He placed his hands on either side of her shapely form and she reached above her head to grip the bed’s headboard. 

            Their bodies easily melted together and they moved as one.  Linda’s eyes closed and her beautiful lips parted to let out a gasp of pleasure.  Zak had never experienced anything physical like this before, although he was recalling vague memories of a similar excitement.  He took his weight on his right hand, whilst he continued to move his body in steady rhythm with Linda’s.  Zak lifted his left hand and placed it around the girl’s pulsating throat.     

            Linda’s eyes opened wide as the strong fingers closed.  Unable to breathe or scream she frantically tried to disengage herself from her powerful lover.  Linda used her fingernails to dig deep furrows in Zak’s arms.  She felt his warm sticky blood.  It seemed to have no effect on him.  She punched and tore at his flesh in desperation. 

            If anything, Zak was enjoying these new sensations.  A tremor was building deep within his body.  A higher level of pleasure and completeness was imminent.  It was a sensation he had experienced before.  The intensity increased in direct relationship to the energy fading from the flailing arms and legs.  Zak was capturing images of himself in a host body like Linda’s.  He closed his eyes briefly and his grip on the young woman’s throat tightened.  Ecstasy threatened to engulf him.      

            There was an irritating buzz near Zak’s head.  He opened his eyes and saw a blur of movement.  It was a mosquito.  Zak’s left hand instinctively shot up from Linda’s throat to catch and crush the tiny insect.

            All the wonderful feelings stopped instantly.  Linda seemed to regain her strength.  Zak opened his left hand and stared at the tiny mound of evaporating blue powder...   Linda’s hysterical screams filled the air and Zak felt a now familiar tingling sensation...

 

The end

Author's Note

My first and so far only attempt at Science Fiction. Whether I ever attempt it again will depend on feedback.

Reviews

[Maya Storm]

It started off slow... but it grew, I liked it... Zak was growing, learning about us, I liked that you made him this way, as it gave us time to absorb what he is... His point of view is so child like "she displayed her teeth and her eyes sparkled. "

I want to review without giving the story away, but it is close to impossible :)
I love this story you need to continue... the end is 'not the end' I demand to know what Zak will do in the future!!!

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Oh, now this is excellent........I was not paying attention and I see what happened now. I am not going to ruin it by explaining for those of you who cheat and read the reviews first. Tom, this is incredibly awesome!

[emmajoy]

Wow! What an incredible story, the idea behind it from start to finish is - to my mind, original and very well written, flows very smoothly, has great and intriguing dialogue, However, re the latter, had to re-read parts of it as there are quite a lot of explanations to take in; I know they're necessary, in a longer piece they'd be spread rather than boxed. Anyway, with that added passionate area plus the final words your story could quite easily continue into a novel!
May i suggest you join a Science Fiction group in the Cafe to get more feedback .. I can't believe nobody else has reviewed this fine piece of writing.