I shine my comm’s light onto the grud’s face.
No scales. Green eyes, not yellow. And the smooth skin of a human, albeit green. I’ve never seen a green human, but I’ve only been on Earth a few days.
“Who are you?” I demand.
“Don’t hurt me,” she pleads.
Slowly, I move my knife away, but don’t sheathe it. A delectable floral scent confirms I’ve captured a human female wearing a grud uniform. Could she be aiding the grud? While improbable, I’ve seen people betray their own kind. Namely, anyone in the Brotherhood.
“Explain these,” I say, tapping my knife against the spikes on the uniform.
“The guy who owned the uniform didn’t look good in shoulder pads?” she says, green eyes wide and cautious as she watches my reaction.
It takes a moment before I realize what has happened here. She’s dressed like the other humans I’ve seen in the residential areas. In clothing meant to disguise her true identity so she does not shame her family when she begs for food.
This female is not a spy. She’shungry.
“Had I known you were a human, female, I never would have tackled you. I mistook you for a grud.”
The fear in her face begins to fade. “Does that mean you won’t hurt me?”
“You have my word as a warrior.”
“You certainly have the alien warrior look down. Seriously, great costume, though the way you tackled me, you should have dressed as a football player.”
“A football player? What is this?”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
I shake my head.
“A disguise. Though not as unique as the one you’re wearing.”
“Should I need a disguise on Earth, I will consult you.”
“Great. First, can you get off me?”
I want to say yes, but my body says otherwise. Despite the grud uniform, she’s rather captivating, especially those expressive eyes.
“I rather like this position.”
Her eyes widen.
“It’s easy for talking,” I say, so as not to scare her further.
“That’s because you’re not the one on the hard ground,” she says with a note of amusement. “Are you going to get off me or must I beg?”
Beg. Drekk. I’ve forgotten why the humans have been dressing in costumes. To beg for food. Except there’s no youngling with her. A missing youngling would explain why she’s here.
I get off her and scan the area. “I will help you find your youngling.”
When I offer her my hand to rise, she shakes her head. I want to take my time looking at her beautiful green eyes, memorizing herfeatures, but not while there’s a lost youngling. This world is full of dangers, including a grud lurking about.
“I don’t have any children, but you really have the alien act down pat. The terminology clinches it. No one says ‘youngling.’”
No youngling? I can relax now that there is no urgency. Again, I offer my hand, but she refuses. “Are you hurt? Is that why you don’t rise?”
“I’m a little shaken.” Her eyes remain on me as she stands. “I can’t believe you thought I was a grud.”
