Survivors
Chapter Twenty One

So for the next few weeks they took their coco and let Bretnel inject them. It felt a bit odd knowing that what they were being given was going to change them for the rest of their lives and that in some way they were giving up part of their humanity, it all felt a bit surreal. They didn’t feel any different, they didn’t look any different they just knew that in the end they would be different.

Bretnel spent about an hour with them every day trying to get them to learn the commands they would have to give to control the transformations. Holly would concentrate and try and create the mental pictures and commands needed to change. Without any sensation of anything happening it was hard to know how well she was doing.

Luke half heartledly tried to follow the instructions, but he was replaceing it now hard to believe that Bretnel had told them the truth. How could he sprout wings, change shape and become a different creature altogether? Even though he’d seen Bretnel do it he’d begun to doubt that even with the alleged enzyme blocker removed that anything would actually happen when he did give the commands.

Joe on the other hand just couldn’t take any of it seriously. He either spent the whole time trying not to giggle or got so bored he drifted off to sleep. He could tell that Bretnel was getting annoyed with him and for some reason that just made it even funnier. What made Joe almost helpless with laughter was when Bretnel went into one of his trances half way through a lesson. He’d open his eyes to see Bretnel staring into space while Holly and Luke were sat with their eyes closed and looks of concentration etched on their faces. When this would happen he’d burst out laughing. Holly would angrily look up and then tell him off for being silly while Luke would just throw up his hands and stomp off in a huff. When he came round Bretnel would apologise for inconveniencing them and go off to his bedroom to lay down.

“Have you noticed” said Holly one day to Joe “He’s having more of those blackouts, and they’re lasting longer”

“Nope” said Joe “Can’t say I have”

“Well I have!” Snapped Holly testily.

“Sorry!” Said Joe

“Just think about it” said Holly “He told us he was frozen because of this brain disease he’s got. He also said that his experiments had speeded the disease up. Do you reckon these blackouts have something to do with that? What if he’s really sick?

Joe shrugged “I dunno”.

“He never used to have to go and lay down after one of the blackouts did he. I’m worried about him”

“Hmmm” said Joe “Now you mention it you could be right, but what can we do about it?”

“I don’t know. Do you think I should ask him about it”

“You can if you want” said Joe “Just make sure I’m not around when you do. I can’t stand all that touchy feely stuff”

“Oh don’t worry” replied Holly “I had no intention of doing anything when you were around. You’ve got all the sensitivity of a brick wall”.

“Hey, that’s not fair”

“Oh come off it” said Holly “You’re not going to try and tell me that you’re the sensitive type are you. I’d never talk about anything that was really worrying me with you. You’d either laugh, make a stupid joke or say something so completely wrong it would only make me feel worse”.

Joe looked hurt and said “Well if that’s how you feel why do you bother talking to me about anything?”

At this point Holly realised she’d probably gone too far. She put her arm round Joe’s shoulders “Ohh Don’t worry about it” she said, giving him a squeeze “You’re good at other things”.

“Such as?” Said Joe a little sulkily.

“Well...” Said Holly “You’re ...you’re...” She grinned “You’re not Luke!”

In spite of himself Joe grinned and then he started to laugh.

“Holly” said Joe suddenly seriously “Promise me, no matter what happens with Bretnel, the Aliens and everything else that we’ll always be friends”

Holly looked deep into Joe’s eyes “Always” she said.

And then she did something very strange indeed, she kissed him, on the lips. Joe for his part did something equally strange; he didn’t back away, he didn’t ask her what the hell she was doing he didn’t even pretend to throw up. He just let her do it.

Suddenly they became aware of what they were doing.

“I think I’ll... Go and see where Luke is... Or something...” Said Joe embarrassed.

“Okay” said Holly “I think I’ll go and check on Bretnel”.