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Driving into the countryside, Samantha felt a profound sense of conviction. She felt as though her entire life had been building steadily to this one moment. Everything else had been a precursor to this one act that would define her. She thought about how rare it was to have a defining moment like this, let alone to know that that moment was coming.
Ras and Bak had ditched their human guises and sat in the back of the car quietly, watching the landscape: her star-kissed lovers watching the snow-kissed country. She drove and drove for a hundred miles until she came to the abandoned farm.
As she pulled up the car, she thought of the note she had left for Jessica, wondering if it would make any sense at all to her.
Jessica,
Sometimes in life you have to admit that you’re living as a dead person. I woke up two days ago but really it was over two months ago; time has a way of changing when you’re in love with aliens. I am going to tell you the truth now but I know you’ll think I’m crazy. I have fallen in love with two blue-skinned aliens called Ras and Bak, and I have decided to return to their planet with them, where I will make beautiful half-breed babies and be their Queen. (Yes, I know how crazy that sounds!)
I wish you the best of luck in your life, my friend. I have left my meager savings on the counter. They are yours to cover my rent. My furniture is yours too. Maybe a handsome man will take my place and you’ll fall in love and marry him and have children and life will be bright and beautiful. Or maybe you’ll shun marriage and become a famous artist. I don’t know. But whatever you choose, choose it well. Choose life.
Samantha Fitzgerald.
She hoped that the note said it all. She knew what Jessica would think: Samantha was crazy and was probably at the bottom of a ditch somewhere.
Maybe she was crazy but she was looking up at the stars so that was okay. She, Ras, and Bak huddled around the black box, the Summoner, and then Bak leaned down and held his hand over it. “I will place my hand, and then Samantha will place her hand on mine, and then Ras will place his hand on hers.”
He smiled up at Samantha. “Are you ready, Queen?”
“Yes,” Samantha said. “I am ready.”
I am ready for starlight. I am ready for love. I am ready for adventure. I am ready to melt the snow of my life and soar into the stars.
Bak nodded and placed his hand on the box. Samantha, after a pause, placed her hand atop his. Ras’ hand pressed warm against hers.
“What happens now?” said Samantha.
There was a bright flash, almost blinding, and then she was standing in a forest of luscious green and vibrant reds. Bird-like creatures chirped and flew; and magnificent winged butterflies the color of summer sky swam through the air.
“We’re home,” Bak said.
“Yes,” Samantha agreed. “We are.”
THE END