Skidia Forever, Chapter Two: A Visit To The Mall

“Now I have to make sure I have a lot of snacks or else that creepy girl will kill me!” Luster was rummaging through the kitchen cupboards and drawers and taking out any bags of chips, cookies, or even candy. He stopped.

“Am I insane? Was that whole incident in the alley just simply my imagination?” Luster thought about this for a moment before knocking aside the thought. His backpack was now bulging with snacks and a few papers and pencils.

“Mom, I’m going to hang out with some um, people! I’ll be back in time for dinner!” Without waiting for a response Luster hurried out of the house. His dirty sneakers slapped against the hard concrete. It was about nine in the morning and already many people were heading to cool off in the public pools.

“Skidia, I wonder where she could be. Hey, maybe I can wait for her in the same alley!” With that he headed for the alley near school.

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“What’s taking her so long?” sighed Luster. He paced around the alley for a few minutes. Then a creepy thought came to mind. What if all of this was a trap? What if she had told him to meet her again and she wanted him to leave his house so that she could murder all of his parents and steal their things?

“I shouldn’t be thinking those things. I just met Skidia. She seems scary, weird, and just weird! Oh but what if I am right, I have to check anyway!” Luster was about to exit the alley until a clawed hand tugged him back.

“Aaahhh!” Luster yelped as he landed with a sickening thud. He got up and dusted his baggy jeans.

“Skidia!” Yellow eyes peered back at him curiously.

“What’s all of that in your pack, human?” Skidia pointed at some of the bags of gummy worms.

“Oh, these? They’re just something to keep you busy munching on. Anyway don’t you have some provisions that you brought with you before you came in? Didn’t you plan for this little visit to our planet Earth?” Luster wondered aloud. Skidia looked solemn.

“Why would I be here in the first place, I mean if it weren’t for those Scorchvis then I would have never ever landed in this stupid place. I can’t believe I was such a fool.” Skidia cried a bitter expression on her face.

“Our planet isn’t stupid! Our planet has very fine organizations! Any way how did the Scorchvis make you get stranded here? Did they blow up your ship and you went inside a pod and barely escaped with your life? Or did they capture you and then they were about to attack Earth and then you escaped and found refuge here?” Luster was eager to know how Skidia got onto Earth.

“Well, me and my best two friends Coystar, a coyote alien, and Keera the cat alien were just coming back from scouting but then two missiles came in contact in our radar so we knew that we were under attack. Both of our ships fought against each other. I was going to try and fix the radio with some tools that I had left in a metal box that was in one of the capsules. So I went inside it and started trying to find it. Coystar, who was piloting the ship wanted to lighten the weight of the ship so we could be sure to make it through hyperspace and escape the enemy.

Keera forgot to tell Coystar that I was in the capsule so then he ejected all of the space capsules. Keera tried to get the ship to stop but it was too late. Also, I’m worried about my friends. The only way that I can know if they’re still alive is that I need to radio them. But the one in the space capsule is broken. I’ve been collecting metal and supplies from places here on Earth to try and communicate with my friends. So far I have had no success.” Skidia blocked the sun’s rays out of her eyes.

“Skidia, it’s going to be okay. Why don’t we go and cool off at the mall, it’s air conditioned in there. Hey, I can show you the arcade and the vending machines. I’m never good at those. So Skidia, how bout it?”

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“It’s so crowded in here. How can you possibly find your place in here? I mean, in Tornka the population is much less than it is in here.” Skidia saw a sports store and peered through the newly polished glass window.

“Wow, what’s all that? I mean just look at all of the things!” Skidia raced through stores with a tired Luster dragging behind. She seemed so energetic. Finally when it got to lunchtime Skidia tore open Luster’s backpack and grabbed several boxes and bags. She ate snacks and junk food while Luster ate macaroni and cheese. After an hour of eating and snacking away at sweets Luster decided to show Skidia the wonderful world of vending machines.

“Skidia, here are some cool machines! Those are for gumballs.”

Skidia abandoned Luster and began examining the machines. She was interested at the prize grabbing ones and the imitation car things. Luster saw Skidia staring at a little baby penguin plush that had a bow tie around its neck.

Walking over Luster asked, “You want that? I mean I absolutely cannot win a prize, but maybe you can. Come on, give it a try!” Luster pleaded, Skidia looked around uneasily and shrugged. Luster dug around his pocket and pulled out a silver quarter.

“Here, all you have to do is insert this coin into that slot and then you can maneuver that metal claw over the plush and then press that red button. After you press it, the claw will drop and hopefully grasp onto the penguin’s head.” Luster explained while tossing the coin to Skidia.

“Okay.” She slowly replied and reluctantly followed his instructions. Her long claws shoved the coin in and the machine awoke. Luster watched in amazement when he saw Skidia move the claw at a position that could get two stuffed animals at the same time! The penguin’s wing and a green and yellow elephant’s trunk were both touching. Skidia then clicked on the shiny button and Luster gaped when he saw Skidia’s success. When Skidia grabbed the toys from the opening she threw the elephant to Luster.

“Keep it. Unless you want to give it to your sister.”

“How do you know about my sister? Have you been stalking?” Luster stared suspiciously at Skidia who blinked innocently at him.

“No, I was walking by a large house and I saw you and a little girl who you called Lily come out and hug you.”

“Then how come I didn’t see you? I mean honestly you can attract so much attention. Also that’s how I saw you in the first place.” Skidia stared impatiently at him; her yellow eyes seem to bore right through Luster.

“If you don’t want it then fine, I’ll keep it then.” Skidia said she reached out to snatch the elephant away from him, but Luster tugged it away.

“I’m keeping it, so don’t you thinking about stealing this nice guy. In fact I’ll name him Mr. Trunks. Humph!” Luster then hugged it tightly and stuck out his tongue at Skidia who growled.

“Not like I care.” She muttered and walked away.