“Ok, either that guy was in a REALLY bad mood, or you aren’t telling me something,” Elle said, glaring at Moonie. “He just blew up half the street and part of the school!”

  They were hunkered down behind the middle school football bleachers, watching the school from a distance as various fire trucks and rescue vehicles cleared out of the area. Sweaty and shaking, Elle tried not to look at her poor bike, tossed aside like the remains of some mangled beast of the past. Its rims were bent, one tire was flat and the chains were hanging off the gears. It had seen better days. Like this morning, for instance.

  "I can't believe we're alive,” Elle repeated to herself for the tenth time. "We should be dead. We should totally be dead," she felt her arms, brushed her legs, amazed they were still attached.

  “Moonie--why was that thing SHOOTING at us? And what does ‘deditionem' mean?” Elle gasped, studying the little alien closely.

  Moonie shifted uneasily in the air. He looked like he was eager to change the subject.

  “….Is he looking for you?" Elle persisted, “What could you have possibly done to make anyone that homicidal?”

  “The Enemy moves in mysterious ways!” Moonie said secretively.

  “No, no, no—that thing was NOT being mysterious,” Elle snorted. “It was being very transparent about its feelings. The shooting was a big tip -off that it didn’t like us. YOU are the one being mysterious,” Elle said with a severe expression, waiting for a response that didn’t materialize. "It wanted something, didn’t it?”

  Gently turning Moonie to face her, Elle said, “Ok, Moonie. Truth time. What is that thing and what did it want?” she demanded. “I nearly died, and I deserve answers,” Elle said, matter-of-factly. Moonie looked moved, and turned a depressing blue color, one that Elle hadn't seen before.

  “It’s about the mission, isn’t it?” she gently prompted. But it turned out to be the wrong thing to say.

  “I cannot divulge the nature of my mission,” Moonie said, and Elle groaned exasperatedly. "Moonie...!"

  “But…..I will show you,” he said, slowly, making up his mind. “I owe you my life. Once again I must humbly thank you,” Moonie said, bowing his head.

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  “Thank me again? For what?” Elle asked.

  “If you had not shielded us, we would have been killed.” Moonie said, hovering a few inches away from the trashcan. “I did not know you were capable."

  “Huh? What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything!” Elle protested.

  “Yes, you saw the damage to the street and the school. We would have been vaporized if you didn’t shield us,” Moonie glanced around at the deserted field.

  “Wait--are you talking about that electric thingy? I thought that was you!” Elle said. “You’re the one with the electricity!”

  “Negative. I have many talents, but shielding isn't one of them,” Moonie said.

  “But---I--- can’t----that---doesn’t,” Elle stammered. “I did that?!” She finally asked, mystified.

  “Definitely. Very interesting,” Moonie said as he hovered through in the direction of the football field.

  “That’s not “interesting”! That’s insane. Humans do NOT generate electricity--at all!” Elle emphasized, and then looked around guiltily, hoping she hadn’t been heard.

  “This is true. Perhaps you are not “all” human,” Moonie rebutted briskly. “Please follow me. We must hurry.”

  “Just a minute—what do you mean maybe I’m not “all” human? Of course I’m human! I’ve been human my whole life. And this is the first time that I have ever had any problems with electricity flowing out of my body, by the way, and you are being highly secretive and I WANT SOME ANSWERS!” Elle glared at Moonie.

  “I did not say that you are not human. I said maybe you are not “all” human. You will get your answers. Patience,” Moonie said mysteriously, floating away.

  Elle sighed with resignation and followed him, her mood vacillating between extreme giddiness and sheer panic. Patience. Sure. Easy for Moonie to say….

  Moonie stopped abruptly. “Get down,” he instructed. Elle dropped low and waited until her legs got crampy and she had a crick in her back. The whole situation stank. Literally. Probably because they were currently crouched behind a trash can that smelled like it hadn’t been emptied in years.

  “Well, this has been fun, but maybe we should go...” Elle began, but Moonie waved for her to be quiet.

  Moonie very deliberately surveyed the area. After satisfying himself that the coast was clear, he floated out from the safety of the bleachers. Elle’s anxiety revved into high gear as he hovered to the center of the deserted football field. He was completely exposed: if there was anybody nearby, like the scary janitor, a couple making out, a lone cheerleader straying from the pack--anything; he would be spotted, and then there would be a lot of explaining to do. For starters, Principal Burke would probably want to discuss the giant hole in the school where the front door should be.

  Moonie glanced back at her and motioned for her to follow him. She glanced around the field one more time then crouched army-style, and ran to the middle of the field. She stood beside Moonie, feeling like an idiot. Luckily, she was starting to get used to the feeling.

  “Is something supposed to happen?” she asked after a few moments of silence.

  Suddenly, Elle noticed a movement beside her. It was Ms. Schmidt. Elle gasped. How had she snuck up so quickly beside them without her noticing? Elle began to stammer.

  Ms. Schmidt gave her a crooked smile and said, “Hi there. Looks like you’ve had a long day," Then she reached out and gently held Elle’s hand. Elle froze, totally confused. What is the proper etiquette when one’s science teacher wants to hold hands…? Elle wondered to herself. She looked down at Ms. Schmidt’s hand in hers and noticed the teacher's large wristwatch for the first time. It reminded Elle of LaPlume’s expensive watch. It flashed a bright blue light.

  “I think your alarm’s going off,” Elle said awkwardly, not knowing what else to say while holding her teacher’s hand.

  “So it is. Now don’t worry," Ms. Schmidt said, her grin widening, “this won’t hurt. Much."

  Elle was at a total loss for words, and was just deciding to let go and make a run for it, but then felt a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach. Her feet felt light as air, and her head felt as heavy as lead and she had the overwhelming feeling like she was going to have some sort of uncontrollable, and probably very messy, bodily function.

  Ting.