Fragment by Paul G Swanson (me reader .txt) 📕

something ran between his legs at such a speed that it left a small gust of wind and crash loudly into the wall and leaving a small mouse sized hole. He whirled around in disbelief. "What the hell?"
To him it looked like a bullet hole, only slightly more oval in shape. He didn't hear a gun. Or maybe he just imagined that gust of wind and the crunch. He knew that paranoia did things to the creative perception.
He stepped up to the wall and knelt down beside it placing his rifle against the wall a little distance away. After probing it with his finger and not finding a bullet he lay down on his chest and yanked the flashlight off his belt. He flicked it on. The cone shaped illumination displaced the shadows and placed a spotlight on the wall. He was aiming it toward the small gap when he heard voice.
"What the hell." It was not a question, it didn't even sound like a human voice. It was like someone had broadcast some message through a static plagued synthesizer.
"Who the hell is it!?" He yelled in anger. He jumped back up onto his feet and spun around again and again seeing no one. Reaching for his gun, he remembered he left it just out of arms reach. His baldhead carried sweat that reflected the light. "God Dammit, answer me!"
"Answer me." It was that inhuman voice again. It seemed to lack all the emotion he had put into it. It came from the wall. He had just about enough of acting rationally. The situation was not rational so why should he be? The wall was speaking to him in strange tones, why should he seem crazy if he just shot it full of holes. The absurdity of the thought struck him as ludicrous, better safe than sorry after all. He made a run for the gun anyway.
He made it about halfway before the wall had begun to crack as if something was drilling through it. Little pieces chipped and fell off. The cracks spread in size until it covered the wall like an arcane mosaic.
Suddenly a deafening screech filled the room and ripped in his head. The effect was an instant but very brief paralysis. The moment the paralysis subsided he said screw the gun and went for the door instead. His adrenaline pumping he had the age old dilemma. Fight or flight. Fear took over. Forget the fight! Just run!
More chips of cement fell away from the wall. He heard the space expanding quickly under some invisible force. The wall exploded like a volcano causing him to stumble. Dust landed on his shoulders. He inhaled dust and sputtered.
When it settled three large reptiles stood in the gap. Each chirped and screeched in a language only it could understand. They resembled gigantic geckos except for the tail's, which ended in three sharp spines, and the carapace running down the length of their back. The head appeared to be armored as well.
They wasted no time in doing away with him. He was so stunned be the sight of the creatures he never got a chance to even run. They all ran forward in unison and pounced on him and each thrusting a tail in his back.
His body roared in pain. In the three wounds he felt as though something had been slid into the wound. He had expected a horrible sucking feeling when he saw he tails but instead he felt a sensation much like a needle giving a vaccination, only much bigger.
As he lay there dying in a puddle of his own blood he looked to his side and saw four green armored toes, each ending in sharp talons. His vision was blurring as one put its face down to his and flicked two purple tongues. It had bones covering its mandible mouth like a beak.
Mathenius died moments later hoping Sarah would never ever see his killer.

* * *

Somewhat stunned by Tio's cooperation with traveling could only watch as he rushed her along and not the other way as she expected. He had already gathered all his important belongings, as she had required him to.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked Sarah as he picked up his suitcases and noticed her staring at him.
"You're awfully complacent about this." She explained. "You're always mouthing off at me about how he's alive and you wouldn't hear it any other way. To be honest it is a little bit confusing to me." He looked at her for a moment and shrugged.
"I look at it this way Sarah. If he's alive it'll be a nice little reunion like I planned, and I'll be right." Tio grinned sheepishly, "In the off chance that he's gone and turned into worm food mush, then I'll be wrong and you're right." He walked into the doorway leaving his apartment and stopped before walking through it completely. "At the very least it'll get you to stop calling me everyday just to yell at me."
"Yeah, but what'll you do if he is gone? It's not going to be a pleasant trip you know. The guy that gave me this card is a little shady looking." She explained looking at the card Psylix gave her before he left the store and sighed. "His ship can't be all that impressive you know, since he was sounding a bit desperate for money."
"Maybe they just spent it all on repairs and fuel or something." Tio suggested, "The stuff can't exactly be all that cheap you know. If it was I'm sure more people would own spacecrafts. I wouldn't mind owning one myself you know."
"You could never handle the responsibility. Those things take more than one person to maintain you know." She put the card back in her pocket where she had retived it from. "Ok, lets head to the dock kid. My stuffs already packed and in the taxi." She following him out with a final look at his place, they wouldn't be seeing this again for a while. "Are you sure you having everything you need?" She asked.
"Got it all, no worries." Tio replied as he slid his suitcase into the taxis trunk.
"Fine, lets go." Sarah told him as she slid into the back seat. "Driver, to the docks please." She told the driver as Tio slid in beside her shutting the door.
They felt the vehicle lift gently off the ground and silently pickup speed. Tio largely ignored Sarah the entire ride and simply started out the window at the artificial sunset and beach which was viewable from the highway. He watched as the holograms displayed minor glitches. he was taken completely aback by how at on moment the entire screens simply flickered and vanished revealing the starry heavens for a brief moment. He spent the remainder of the ride silently contemplating what could cause a minor power outage and that large a scale.
The taxi slowed to a stop and Sarah paid the tab that she owed as she thanked the driver.
"Come on, lets go Tio." They climbed out and retrieved their luggage from the trunk and watched the taxi speed off. They proceeded as Psylix had directed her on a phone call and before long they stood staring at awe in amazement. What looked like a metallic flying hawk sat looming before them on the launch pad. Tio and Sarah could feel the air heavy with the vibration caused by its engines. As they walked closer Tio's nose caught the smell of engine grease and oil. In excitement Tio ran up and pressed his hand against its cold surface he could feel the ships heartbeat as it vibrated through his arm.
"Sarah! This is a LBP type ship!" He explained excitedly to her disinterested gaze. Off to his left a panel in the bottom of the ship slid open and ramp descended to the floor.
"Hello again Psylix." Sarah greeted him with a smile and a wad of cash she had dug out of her luggage. "I'm asume all is in order then? Here's the half on departure you requested."
"Yes, it most certainly is, we can leave immediately we already have clearance to leave." He told her smiling as he took the money. His tail flicked the air catching a glint of light and reflecting it into Tio's eyes. "I'm assuming thats the kid." Tio ignored the light and continued to stare at the ship.
"Yeah thats him." She told Psylix. "He seems kind of excited to be able to ride on this."
"Well, yeah. This is a famous ship type. LBPs are some of the best out there. These things are usually used in the races that entertain people."
"Is it really that big of a deal? I mean I've never heard of it."
"You never heard of it? These are usually used for corporate flights and all, not typically civilian crews like ours, but yeah." Psylix explained. "Whats his name?" He asked changing the subject. He watched her lips as she answered being careful to avert his eyes before she noticed.
"Strange name." He stated to himself as he wandered off to meet the boy. As he approached, Tio looked at him briefly. "Maximum speed twenty-two thousand miles an hour." He laughed when he saw the kids jaw drop in amazement.
"Thats almost as fast as Lanstrom flies in his races." He replied in amazement. "He owns a LBP as well! Is this yours?" Psylix nodded. "How did you get your hands one of these?"
"Long story. Maybe I'll tell you later. Come on I'll give the tour." Psylix motioned for the two of them to follow him up the ramp. The three passed under a small arch at the top and walked past another staircase.
"Where's that one go?" Asked Tio as he glanced at it.
"That goes up top. You can look out at the stars under a small dome that was constructed on the top of the ship. Its a great view if you feel the desire to look. But don't go up there just yet, wait till we are out in space. Trust me, looks a lot better when its your first impression." Psylix continued walking and motioned for them to continue to follow.
The short hallway ended with three mahogany doors. Smiling he motioned at the one on the left and explained that this was were they would be sleeping. Psylix then continued to explain that himself and the crew used the other two rooms. Sarah opened the door and gasped in surprise at the accommodation's that laid before her. The room was massive, she stepped in, mouth agape and dropped her bags just inside the threshold. Tio followedd appearing only slightly less impressed.
He glaced up at the vaulted ceiling and grinned thinking to himself that this must be the