Graveyard shifts were rarely anyone’s favourite. Especially if they were alone to close up.

  Tired, frustrated, and on the line of going postal after the holiday rush. It didn’t help that the 4th of July ended five minutes after Katelyn would be allowed to close the coffee shop. However, if there was a silver lining to all of it, it would be that she got to bring her free “thank you muffin” home.

  Katelyn was a gifted high school student in Batesville. Because of her dedication and hard work, she would eventually be given a spot to any university or college she desired. Biology, chemistry, medicine, a whole list of opportunities. All she needed to do was finish her final year of school and she’ll be golden.

  She was a brawny woman with short, curly dreads. Being a farmer’s daughter, herding cattle and sheep made her a fit young woman. However, dealing with cows that consistently smelt revolting and handling sheep that were as dumb as a rock. She lacked patience. Fortunately, she was by herself. Unfortunately, she didn’t have someone to call a moron to cool off.

  But the moment she locked up the coffee shop, she remembered she left her phone inside. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she questioned if she would bother leaving her device there till her next shift or go through the motions again to retrieve it.

  ‘It is midnight and I have to do this bullshit all over again!’ She mumbled to herself.

  After opening up the store and re-closing it again. She let out a sigh as she turned to face her car. Her expression soured when she noticed Butch leaning against her car with four of his bald friends. They all wore the same uniform. Black leather jackets, jeans, combat boots, and a white t-shirt with a shield on it.

  Butch and his gang were dropout college students. Frat Boys and self-idealistic perverts who claimed to be part of a unified movement. If one could call racial discrimination unifying.

  With an insidious smirk, he rubbed his hairless scalp as if he had hair. ‘Hello Kate. I am wondering if you are available to talk.’

  Refusing to say anything, Kate walked over to her car. Four men stepped out of the way to let her pass. But as soon as her keys touched the door. Butch reached down to grab her hand and held her firmly.

  Butch shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. We have to have a civil conversation.’

  ‘Don’t touch me.’ Kate hissed.

  ‘Alright,’ Butch stepped in front of her after letting her go, preventing her from entering her car. ‘I’ll only be nice for a moment.’

  She had already dealt with him before. The town thug everyone grew to despise. Knocking on everyone’s doors to “ask” for cash. Butch would call it protection money from individuals who didn’t have similar “values” that were commonly shared around his community. Which to him were the immigrant and anyone who isn’t as white as him. Kate would get a pass, only because she was considered mixed, and thus acceptable.

  However, scum like him got away from their crimes of extorting the community because his father was the sheriff. Either he knew the legal ins and outs on how to get away with anything, or his father would cover it all up for him. Kate wasn’t sure, but she knew Butch was just a simple-minded thug. A bully who wouldn’t hurt anyone. A dog that was all bark and no bite. It wasn’t because he was a coward, but because violence would ruin his little business. But she didn’t want to test that out anytime soon.

  ‘What do you want, Butch?’ Kate demanded as she folded her arms.

  ‘I want what is owed to me. Your dad missed his payment…’ He checked his phone and let out a chuckle. ‘Yesterday, exactly six hours ago. And I want to know why.’

  Kate scoffed, ‘really? Aren’t “family values” and “community” the crap you like to constantly rave about? Or is it horse-shit like the rest of your beliefs?’

  Butch’s friends glared at Kate, putting their hands in their pockets like they were reaching for a concealed weapon. Kate could see through their lame attempt at intimidating her, and Butch noticed that as well.

  ‘Fellas, settle. I’m sure a monkey can answer a simple question. I’ll ask again, why did he miss his payment?’

  ‘He was with the rest of my family.’ Kate confirmed with a snark tone. ‘You know, providing and following the typical American tradition.’

  ‘Following tradition doesn’t mean you get to avoid your responsibilities. He could’ve turned up at my place and dropped off what I am rightfully owed…’

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  ‘Owed? We don’t owe you shit, Butch. You are just stealing from our hard work. You are nothing but a leech!’

  ‘I reap the rewards that were provided by God. All I am doing is acknowledging that your people are hard workers and should continue that work.’ Butch looked away for a moment. Chuckling to himself like he was proud of that comment. ‘But I don’t want to waste anymore time. If he won’t, or can’t pay. Then I suppose it is fair that his next of kin pay in his stead.’

  ‘Pay!? I am not giving you shit. Now get out of my way so I can go home and sleep.’

  Butch shoved her away from her car the moment she took a step forward. ‘No, I don’t think that can happen.’ He pointed to her coffee shop she worked at. ‘If you can’t pay in full, I am sure that will do.’

  ‘No.’

  He smiled, like a dog salivating for a possible kill. ‘No? Or what?’

  Before Kate could respond, a heavy hand slammed onto the hood of her car. A shadowy figure stood silently, their entire body covered in clothing or bandages to hide the skin underneath. No one knew where they came from or how they were able to sneak up on them. To everyone, it was like they mysteriously appeared out of thin air.

  Everyone was quiet, staring at the lone person of rags without a clue as to who they were or why they slammed the hood of someone’s car in the middle of the night.

  ‘Look pal, we are having a private conversation and I suggest you kindly leave.’ Butch said to the figure. But besides moving or responding the figure stood there. Silent. Unmoving.

  Butch rolled his eyes, unamused that someone weaker and what seemed to be homeless would dare interrupt him. He clicked his fingers and waved his hand for one of his friends to “escort” the unwanted guest out of there.

  With an eager grin, one man approached the figure in rags. However, the grin from his lips wouldn’t last long. As before he could react, he flew back a few feet as a single fist collided against his sternum. He rolled around on the ground, groaning and gasping for air that violently left his lungs.

  ‘Fuck!’ Butch mumbled as he rushed to his friend rolling on the ground. His friend screamed in agony as a loud pop came from his friend’s chest as he helped him up. Butch needed to take him to the hospital right now. He couldn’t waste his energy fighting someone who broke someone’s rib with a single punch.

  ‘Alright,’ Butch turned to Kate and the figure. ‘We’ll talk later.’

  The figure and Kate watched how Butch and his gaggle of thugs left to rush their injured friend to the hospital. Which gave Kate a moment to sigh in relief.

  ‘Hey, I want to…’ Kate cut herself off as the figure stumbled away from her. Pushing themselves off the car to begin walking. It didn’t take long for the figure to collapse to the ground. ‘Shit!’ She shouted as she rushed to her masked hero.

  As she kneeled down to see if they were alright. Kate noticed something off about them. Their right leg looked way too large than it should be. She noticed how their shoes seemed bizarre, having two long toes at the front and one toe at the heel. At first she thought it was some sort of broken snow shoes, but she wasn’t sure. However, she couldn’t waste time on details, not when they might need to be resuscitated.

  Kate jumped as she removed the bandages covering their face. Her hero, or she could even call them that. They had green scales, all of it an inconsistent shade of green as their scars both disfigured and discoloured them. The snout was short and jagged, like the bone was squished together after being hit multiple times by a sledgehammer.

  Whatever she was looking at, she knew they weren’t human. But even if they were not human, they stood up for her and helped her. Was there a reason? A purpose to why it would stand up for her? She couldn’t tell. Kate couldn’t even convince herself that they had any malicious motive even if she tried.

  Returning the favour, she dragged the reptile and managed to put them in her car. Kate was surprised that while the reptile was shorter than her, they were very heavy for their size. As the reptile lay down at the back of her car, passed out and clearly in need of her help. She started her engines and drove back home. At the back of her mind, she wondered if she did the right thing by helping an alien from another planet.