Awareness (Pt. 1 - Night Terror) (standard:science fiction, 1192 words) [1/2] show all parts
Author: NikiNicole	Updated: Dec 18 2005	Views/Reads: 3319/2160	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A mysterious man from the past inserts himself into Tai's life. Thanks to her meddling girlfriend, Tai's Saturday night goes from bad to worse in record time.

Tai Whalen can't believe it. 

'How the hell do I get myself into these situations?  It's two o'clock
in the morning and I'm sitting here on a blind date wishing somebody 
would just slip me a roofie and wake my ass in the morning.' 

“Don't you think so Tai?” 

'Oh shit.  Crystal is talking and I have no idea about what.  Just smile
and nod, Tai.  Hopefully that will make things go by a little faster.' 

“I mean, if UFOs and aliens actually existed, why haven't they made
themselves known by know.  And anyway, how you gonna tell me that they 
have the technology to travel light-years and yet they've been 
abducting and ‘studying' the same species for over 50 years now.  Come 
on!  Either they are a highly advanced civilization or they're as dense 
as a doorpost.  You can't have it both ways.” 

Crystal is an extremely intelligent woman and always has been.  For that
reason, Tai has never been able to understand why she wastes her time 
with such trivial conversation.  Everybody has their vices.  Tai 
figured that a fascination with nonsense must be Crystal's. 

The two have been friends since they were thrown together as roommates
sophomore year at Howard University.  They knew each other like 
sisters.  All the secrets.  All the real truths.  That's why Tai is in 
a state of disbelief.  It's bad enough that Crystal tricked her into 
this blind date.  The two had come to the club together.  To Tai's 
surprise, they were met by Crystal's boyfriend Donald and a gentleman 
by the name of Andrew Prescott.  Among the many problems with this 
setup was the most obvious.  Tai didn't date white boys.  Crystal was 
well aware of this self-imposed rule.  So not only was Tai bored stiff, 
she was a little hot with her best friend as well. 

“Can I get you another drink, Tai?” Andrew asked. 

“No thanks, ‘Drew.  I think I'm gonna head out pretty soon anyway.” 

The other part of this equation was that as it turns out, this wasn't
actually a “blind” date.  Tai and Andrew knew each other from 
childhood.  Their parents had worked at a secret installation in 
Central America over 15 years ago.  The kind where nobody ever leaves 
because it's a self-contained compound complete with schools, shopping, 
and selected entertainment.  Back then, Tai had actually had a 
childhood crush on the boy who was 5 years her senior.  But, many 
things had changed since that time.  Whatever was going on below the 
surface of that swarthy equatorial jungle had driven a wedge between 
her parents and driven her mother out of her life.  Now, all these 
years later, the last thing that she wanted to deal with was anything 
that reminded her of that time.  Dealing with her father was hard 
enough. 

“Well I think these two are going to be here awhile.  Let me take you
home,” Drew yelled into her ear trying to be discreet yet overcome the 
noise of the club at the same time. 

Tai weighed her options.  He was right.  It didn't look like her ride
would be ready to leave any time soon.  And there was no way she was 
going to pay for a cab to pick her up and drive the thirty-something 
miles back to her house.  The club was packed, but she didn't want to 
take her chances catching a ride from some guy she just met.  At least 
she knew Andrew. 

With that decision made, the two said their goodnights and headed out to
Andrew's car. 

“I see you've done well for yourself,” Tai said observing the royal blue
Porsche. 

“I do okay.” 

“Mmmhmm.  What is it that you do anyway?” 

“I work for NASA.  Not too far from your father actually.” 



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