Hi Allee,

Oh, hi Len. How was your day?

Fine. Yours?
This was my typical morning, with Len greeting me and all. Safe to say that I got used to
this by now, as it wasn't a custom back in my home planet. I didn't ask to be here, but as others from
my planet used to say: I come in peace. My name is Allee, and I am an alien.
So, the project was a disaster?
I nod. I know how Len would react to my reactions, and his reactions weren't necessarily
what I would have hoped for. I don't want him to have his hopes up. I do not intend to be here long,
and long distance relationships don't work between humans and aliens, not with galaxies between
them. Not that anything mutual was being developed. I just believe that if one doesn't want anything
to grow, he must pull it by the root.
Len kept talking the whole time. I'm pretty sure he noticed how I've been avoiding him these
days. It wasn't easy. I work with him, and as a delegate it is my duty to interact with humans,
despite my lack of interest.
To be honest, the team I was in wasn't the best one there is but it wasn't the worst either. I'm
not the team leader, which was a huge relief since I don't work well with others. I'm more of a
bystander and in some cases the cheerleader of the group.
I'm the only girl in the team. There are four of us in this group. There's me and Len, and two
other guys who work together in the same department, Aspher and Jovan. I'd like to say my team
mates were pretty decent Earth boys. However, they're not my type.
In Earth years I was old. I was born on a Hailey's comet day, and as far as I'm concerned I've
celebrated my birthday 72 times, which makes me pretty old. But in Valdorian I am still a child.My
kind doesn't pay much attention to us kids, which made me surprised and ecstatic when my uncle
decided to bring me to work one day. Little did I know his plan was to get rid of me.
So there I was, a child who was sent to live for 5 months in this rotten wasteland. No offense
but for those of you who doesn't know, Earth has been inhabitable for almost a decade, right after its
sun burned up, leaving nothing but a black hole hovering above the Earth. I'm pretty impressed how
this planet can still withstand the force. To be honest, the black hole was doing the Earth a bit of a
favor. It acts as a vaccuum which sucks many of the poisonous air in this place. However, despite
the effort of a black hole to supposedly fix Earth, it could not be saved. The only way it could be
saved is through annihilation.
The other way to save it is still planned by the members of the council. That includes me, a
young Valdorian who knows nothing about laws but will study in order to regain my place in our
home planet. I'm also tired of continuously being sent to other planets just to participate in these
conferences. It might not seem obvious but I'm a very patriotic being.
So, you miss your homeland? Len asked, still following me around.
No.
Not obvious at all.
Oh, okay. Listen, I've got to take care of a few things first. I'll catch up with you later. Len
was hurrying down the hallway as he said this. I admire that he's hardworking, but even technology
can't repair this environment. It'll only make it worse.
Sure. Take your time.
I continued walking. It wasn't long until I bumped into a familiar face. It was Roan, and he
didn't look happy.
Fooling around with the Earth boy?
I tried my best to smile. He wasn't exactly the most likable being back at Valdoria, but he's
the only kin I've got here on this planet. I have to earn his trust and make him believe that he has
mine.
Don't be silly. It's a pathetic human boy with pathetic human feelings. You should know
better.
 He stood there, with his arms crossed over his chest. He wore a stern face, and his
expression didn't change with my response. No reaction. Great.
Maybe I should be saying that to you.
What? Is he trying to pick a fight? I don't deal well with fights.
You belittle them in your talk, yet I continue to see you deal well with these humans. He
started walking away. You should know better.
He's right. There's no need to be attached. They don't know the real us. I'd rather not let them
know.
I was about to follow Roan when I received a message on my communicator.
It was Aspher.

Team, it has come to my attention that we have the lowest score among the participants.
Doesn't it eat you up that others are getting ahead while we're falling behind?
Jovan's voice was ringing in my ears seconds after he screamed in our faces. He looked
intimidating, but he was nothing compared to my father. Also, I wasn't the one who was dragging
our team down.
Allee? Do you have something to say?
Huh? What?
You were looking at me intently. Do you want to say something? Jovan's eyebrows were
beginning to look connected. Being angry isn't helping his looks.
I shook my head.
Well, anyone? Am I the only one whose concern is to make our team win? Will you stop
being the lazybones you are and move according to what I say?
Len stood up. The problem with this group Jovan, is your bossiness. We could've won the
last challenge if you didn't interfere with my performance.
If I hadn't interrupted your performance, not only would we be at the bottom of the list.
We'd be out of it.
Why you-
Stop it guys. Why don't we just think of a strategy instead of wasting our energy fighting?
Aspher's voice echoed throughout the room. Len sat down, while Jovan shifted his stance.
He wasn't the oldest, but Aspher has superiority none of us has. Or maybe it's just me. Of all my
team mates, Aspher was my favorite. He resembled my brother back in Valdoria, Risio. If only I had
spent more time with him before I was sent here...
It's not that I don't like the others. Len wasa okay, it was just that he's too clingy and showy.
He's what I'd call a scaredy cat who wants to be a hero.
And then there's Jovan. I have no words to describe this guy. No words at all.
Ok then. Aspher, why don't you show us what you've got? Have you got any ideas,
smartpants?
Jovan getting mad at Aspher. Now THIS is interesting.
Aspher stood up. Jovan was a few inches taller than him, but standing up gave him
confidence invisible when one's sitting in a chair trying to fight a giant.
I was just trying to help. Aspher's eyes were locked on Jovan's. If that were my brother
facing Jovan, the latter would've been burned to a crips right now.
Trying to be the leader isn't a form of help. Jovan was sneering at the short guy before
him. I bet his ego is bigger than Earth right now.
I wasn't trying to be the leader.
Then, what are you trying to be?
Guys, enough! Now it was Len's turn to shout. Aspher's right, we should stop this
fighting before anyone gets hurt. Besides, it wouldn't do us good to show violence in front of
Allee.
The other two, suddenly remembering I was there, looked at me. I didn't know what to do so
I just smiled at me.
Yeah, that's right. Allee, why don't you suggest a strategy for us? Jovan's eyes were steady
on me, and he was wearing a stance similar to Roan's earlier. Intimidating, but it looked better on
Roan.
Just great. Len was being the hero and now the pressure's on me. Thanks Earth boy.
I shook my head. I have no idea whatsoever Leader.
Jovan laughed, but not in a good way. It was a mocking laugh, and it got on my nerves.
So, nobody knows what we're supposed to do. This is the kind of situation I'd like to be in.
Always. He said.
It was my turn to be angry at his sarcasm. Well, wasn't it the leader's job to formulate a
strategy that he'll just pass on to his team mates? I'm pretty sure you have a lot of them going on in
that big head of yours. Bummer, I said too much.
His eyes widened. What did you say?
Oh fudge. Please don't get mad.
I said it's your job to create a strategy that we will follow.
Don't be mad.
He walked towards me. Not that. The other thing you said. What did you say?
Please.
I gulped. I said you must have plenty of ideas going on in there.
By now he was towering over me. I was the alien, but I felt smaller compared to this human.
Going on where?
His eyes were unforgiving. It was clear that he was mad, and he's about to punch me any
second.
Please don't get mad.
Don't.
Your big head.
No.
The punch sent me flying straight to the wall. Len panicked, and so did Aspher. There was
blood on my nose and on Jovan's fist. He looked murderous. I could tell that the punch wasn't
enough, and he's coming for more.
Just kidding.
I caught his fist in midpunch. I was trying to keep my cool but this human acted way out of
boundary. It's true that I don't do well in fights. I end up killing what I perceive to be prey.
What are you-
I felt myself changing. In the mirror beside Jovan, I saw my eyes turn pure black. But that
didn't cause the horrified looks on their faces. I was crushing Jovan's hand in mine, and blood was
dripping to the floor. I let go, and Jovan dropped to the floor.
I saw my reflection return to normal, and by that I mean human-like. Jovan was still on the
floor, clutching his clearly broken hand. I tried to apologize but he wouldn't let me near him. I
understand. I also wouldn't want to talk to someone who injured me on purpose.
But it wasn't on purpose. That's the part absolutely no one would understand. Not even my
uncle.
Aspher helped Jovan to his feet. They left the room in a hurry, as Jovan was nearly losing
consciousness. Len went with them, and I saw his still horrified expression. I guess you don't like
me that much now, huh?
I was left standing there, both in awe and disappointment. I was disappointed that my team
mates left me without a word. But I was awed at the same time. I didn't think I'd see him again after
so many years. I walked towards the mirror and shed the human skin I was wearing. Yes, it was
definitely him.
My twin.
 I screwed up badly this time, huh?
That was what I blurted out when I saw the expression on Roan's face. He was the only one
brave enough to enter my room. Not that we share anything special. Roan was the only alien on
board who can stop me if ever I went berserk again.
His hand was broken.
Snap. I said before placing my face on my hands. Then I remembered. Oops. I didn't
mean to. Pardon the pun.
He raised an eyebrow. Pun? You really are starting to talk like an Earth creature.
I stared at him gloomily. Oh trust me. I'm nowhere near human.
He smiled. So I've heard.
This is bad. If uncle finds out about this, I'll be screwed even more. Earth was one of the
least dangerous planets where a conference was held. If he hears this, I'll be sent to somewhere far
and cruel. I don't want to be bullied by other aliens. I want to be the bully.
I grinned at him.I'm just following your advice. Don't deal well with humans, remember?
I didn't say that.
I rephrased it, dummy. Just leave me alone. You're not helping.
He sighed, and left without a word. Why, isn't this just wonderful. I sent away the only being
on this planet who's willing to talk to me without being held at gunpoint. Maybe uncle's right.
Maybe I do deserve this isolation.
I closed my eyes and forced myself to sleep.

What was that sound?

Roan?
I struggled to see with little light. The only source of light in my room is the gap between the
door and the floor. I could hear noises outside my room. I walked carefully to the door and placed
my ear on it. The voices were muffled, but with the help of my own hearing I could make out the
words. I peeled my human ear away to reveal my Valdorian one, which I pressed to the door in
order to hear better.
wasn't contented with crushing his hand...
the skull was badly damaged...
it wasn't even a duel...
whatever it was they were fighting over, that alien is one sore loser...
What are they saying?
I was deep in listening and in thought when they opened the door. I fell to the floor, and
that's when everyone started staring at me.
What a shame.
I looked up and saw my uncle staring at me. I was helping myself on my feet when security
grabbed hold of me. But it wasn't normal security. They were Valdorians, and they were reaper kind.
Nothing made sense, so I asked my uncle.
What's happening uncle? What are you doing here? I beckoned to the guards holding me.
Why are they here?
They're here for you, was all he said.
As I was dragged away, I saw Roan smiling. Others were making way for us. Sudddenly,
uncle stopped. So did the guards. Uncle moved out of the way, and I was what the commotion was
about.
It was Jovan. His hand was still bandaged, but that was the only part of him that was still in
tact. A lump of flesh was sitting on where he was supposed to be, and the hospital bed was soaked
with blood. As I was trying to make sense of it all, Roan appeared beside me.
Nice kill.
What? I was immediately angered by this sentence. Was he saying I was the one that did
this? He pointed to the floor, and I looked down. There was blood on the floor, and it was leading
outside the room. I went out and followed the path of dried blood. As I was making the familiar
turns, my stomach was turning upside down. The path lead me to my own room, and I nearly
fainted with disbelief.
WHAT? But this can't be... I was asleep. Roan! Roan, you did this didn't you? You're trying
to frame me! ROAN!
He was immediately beside me, and he was still wearing that smile. I didn't frame you,
Allee. This work of art is all yours.
Uncle also appeared beside me, and placed his hand on my shoulder. I guess that's enough
trouble for today, Allee. Tomorrow you'll be sent away to another planet. He signaled for his men
to take me away.
No! No, you're wrong. It wasn't me. I was asleep last night. Roan, you saw!
The smile turned into a grin. First, you made me the suspect. Then you're making me a
witness. Grow up Allee. Or should I say, Archie?
The guards stiffened. Uncle suddenly turned towards Roan.
Is it true? Did Achernar did this?
I was growing mad. What does my twin have to do with it? I turned to uncle. Uncle, what
does he mean? What does Roan mean? I was almost shouting.
He looked at me impatiently. Archie is your twin brother Allee. As a matter of fact, I want
to talk to him.
Uncle peeled the human skin I was wearing, revealing my Valdorian scales and male built.
My eyes became the same black, beady eyes I saw on the mirror. Uncle held my jaw, and I winced
in pain.
When will you stop this Archie? Aren't you tired of roleplaying between yourself and your
twin- a character made by your broken mind?
You don't understand Uncle. I'm Allee, and I'm inside Archie's body. He's my twin,
remember? We had the same body, until Mother saw what an abomination we both were. She
destroyed me uncle, don't you remember? But I lived, and I have every right to share this body. I
have every right, isn't that right Archie? Isn't that right?
I nodded.
But Uncle only shook his head. Take this monster away.
The Valdorian reapers dragged me away, screaming and all.

The other delegates were looking at me as I made my way to the pod. In the crowd, I saw
Len cowering in fear. The idiot who wants to be a hero. I sure am glad that I won't be talking to him
every morning from now on.
From a distance, I saw my brother's eyes staring at me. Those gentle eyes that made every
team meeting bearable. If it wasn't for the condition my twin and I are in, I would've wanted to stay
a little longer. I watched Aspher disappear, and I'm pretty sure he isn't coming back.
I entered the pod. Tomorrow, I'm going to be sent to another planet. Only this time, they
discovered that I have my twin with me. I might be sent to a high-class prison or something but
that's fine, now that I have my brother with me. I know he'll protect me. Isn't that right, Archie?
I nodded.