“I can’t believe you drug us out in the middle of nowhere, literally, to go to some party with you, and you don’t even know where it is.” Isaac complained from his seat next to Zac.

“I know where it is, I just can’t find it.” His brother answered. “Besides, Taylor was supposed to print out the directions, and since he’s got dyslexia, he flipped the numbers around on the zip code and Yahoo has sent us here.” Zac said, glancing in the back of the van where Taylor sat, dozing off with his head against the window and headphones covering his ears.

“Well, you should always double check when he does stuff, you ought to know that by now.” Isaac grumbled. “I wonder how the fans decided he had dyslexia, anyway? I mean, where do they come up with this stuff?”

Zac slowed down to look at his surroundings, “Maybe one of them asked him for directions…” He said absently, peering out into the darkness. “Man, I told Eric we’d play a couple tunes for them, too. He’s gonna be pissed.”

“I hope it was gonna be cover tunes, because I don’t relish playing our stuff for a bunch of drunks and getting heckled.” Isaac said, pulling a map out of the glove box.

“Yeah, that’s what I was figuring we’d do.” Zac said. He looked up at the sky where what seemed like a million stars shone in the blackness. “I’m glad we brought the van, maybe we can just camp out here.”

Isaac looked over at him, one eyebrow raised, “Um, no thanks. It’s full of instruments in the back, and Taylor’s all spread out like a giant squid on the seat there.” He started to fold up the map, “I don’t know where we are anyway, I think we just need to turn back and call it a night.”

Zac sighed, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He said. “I’ll just go on up ahead and we’ll turn around at the first spot we see.” Pulling back onto the road, Zac drove on a little ways until a bright light lit up the road all around them.

“Crap!” He cursed, “Is that a cop behind me?” He said, squinting his eyes and looking into the rear view mirror.

“Dang, I hope not. Another ticket and you might lose your license.” Isaac said, turning and shielding his eyes.

“I wasn’t even doing anything.” Zac grumbled, putting the van in park and rolling down his window.

“Dude, you’re a sixteen year old, long haired guy, driving a white, pimped out Econoline van, you don’t have to do anything.” Isaac said. “Geez, that is some seriously bright light.” He said.

“I know. I think they try to blind you so you don’t give ‘em any trouble.” Zac said, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. “I wish he’d just come on.” He said.

“He’s probably doing a search on the plates or something…” Isaac said. Outside the window, Isaac thought he saw something, “Did you see that?” He said.

“What?” Zac said, putting his cell phone up to his ear.

“I don’t know. I just…thought I saw something.” He said, looking out into the tall weeds beside the van.

“Hey, Eric…” Zac said to his friend. Isaac continued to look out the window into the darkness. “I know, man. First we got lost, and now, I got pulled over—hey, you there?” He looked over at Isaac, “I lost him.” He said, looking over at his brother. Suddenly, all the lights on the dash went out, then the headlights, and then the engine died. “What the hell’s going on?” He said. But before Isaac could answer, the door to the van was jerked open and he was gone. “Ike!” He yelled, but within moments he found a rope of some sort around his neck, and he too was pulled from the van, out the open window. In the darkness, he couldn’t see what had grabbed him, but he felt more than one pair of hands on him, dragging him across the gravel road. He tried kicking and hitting whatever had him, but before he could have much of an effect his world went totally black and he saw and heard nothing until he woke up a while later.

The CD Taylor had been listening to had ended long ago, and he’d fallen asleep before it had reached the third song anyway. He wasn’t sure what woke him up but as he looked around, he noticed both his brothers were gone. A sound behind him made him turn to see what looked like a person in a cat costume pulling his keyboard out of the back of the van. “Be careful with that.” He said as they banged it against the side. “Hey!” He shouted. “It’s old but it still works!” The person looked up at him, then began to back away, dropping the precious instrument to the ground. “Hey, dammit!” He said, pulling the headphones off his neck and getting up out of the seat. He slung the door open, ready to give hell to the person so recklessly handling his equipment, but what he saw was another person in the same sort of costume. “What the hell? Is there a theme to this party or something? Zac didn’t even tell us we were supposed to dress up.” He groused. He jumped down in front of the person. “Wow, you’re pretty tall, dude.” He said, looking up into golden eyes. “You must be like, seven feet tall or something…” He said and he looked as the second one came up as well. Now, his senses, dulled by sleep before, were suddenly telling him to run. At once, he took off into the tall weeds. Expecting to be followed, he ran as fast as he could. Behind him, he could hear them “talking”, but it was a language he didn’t understand. He continued to run, but soon, he realized he wasn’t alone. He could sense others in the field with him. He slunk down as far as he could, but continued to put distance between himself and the van and whatever it was that was back there. But, he also felt like he was running into danger. He felt surrounded somehow. And he was.

Zac felt consciousness returning to him. His head ached as much as he’d ever felt; even more than a January 1st hangover. Beside him, Isaac sat, his knees drawn up to his chest, one hand around them and the other on his forehead. “What the hell happened?” Zac asked, sitting up carefully. He looked around him and his eyes widened. “Where the hell are we? Is this like, a paddy wagon?” He said.

Now Isaac looked at him, “No, Zac, I believe it’s more like a cage. I’m hoping I’m dreaming, but, I’d say we’ve been abducted by aliens of some sort.” Zac just looked at him in disbelief. “Either that, or we’re being ‘Punk’d’.”

“I don’t know if we’re popular enough to be punked. Isn’t that what they do to people like, Justin Timberlake?” Zac asked, pulling up on his knees.

“Yeah, exactly.” Isaac said. Now they began to hear noises and they both looked over to see a door of some sort slide up, moonlight and stars streaming in, giving some light to the place. Isaac pulled himself over next to his brother and both of them watched as two tall slender beings with large ears on the tops of their heads drug a heavy looking box up into the place. Others stood by outside and watched.

“What’s going on?” Zac asked.

“Dude, I have no idea. I woke up just a little before you did. But I did see these freaky looking guys running out the door a little while ago.” He said. “That’s what made me say it was aliens. I mean, I know it’s pretty close to Halloween and all, but…those aren’t costumes. Unless of course, we’ve been secretly cast in some big budget Hollywood movie…Hey, do ya think Taylor got away?” He said very softly.

“God, I hope so. Maybe he called the cops or something.” Zac replied.

They watched as the two picked up the box and started walking towards them. It appeared to be heavy as their long arms strained to carry it. When they got far enough in, the others outside stepped up into the door and it soundlessly slid shut, causing them to be back in almost total darkness. Suddenly, the box was dropped hard onto the floor next to them. As it hit, they heard a grunt that sounded a great deal like their missing brother. They looked at each other, wondering if they each recognized the sound. Around them, lights began to come on and the inside of the place was illuminated by dials and buttons and things unknown as the machinery came to life. “Tay?” Zac said.

It was hard to tell exactly what he said, but they could tell it was him. As their eyes adjusted, they saw that their brother, the biggest of the three of them, was stuffed into a small box, it’s sides made of metal bars while the edges were of some strong looking material they weren’t familiar with. His hair poked out one end and a shoe string out another. Denim from his jeans and the blue material of his shirt could be seen as well, but not his face. “God bless!” Zac exclaimed, “Are you alright?!”

“…can barely breathe…” He answered.

“Well, yeah, I think your knees are probably caving in your chest. How did you get in there?” Isaac asked.

“…oh god…wasn’t easy…” He grunted back.

“I can imagine.” Isaac said back. “Well, shut up, cuz I’m sure you need all the air you can get.” He said to him. “Zac, can you reach through there and unlatch that thing? It looks like it’s got a lock on the other side.” Isaac said.

“I don’t know, I’ll try.” He answered, and he stretched his arm out through the bars of the cage he and Isaac were in. Suddenly, one of the creatures was there and smacked the bars with a loud whack from a staff of some sort. Zac pulled his arm back in quickly and looked into the face of his captor for the first time. The face was cat-like. Large golden eyes in a face covered in a fine, soft looking fur. It had sharp teeth and long whiskers around a wide mouth, but it stood on two legs like a human. It turned and called to another of its kind and soon a second one looked into the cage at the two of them. They spoke to each other for a moment, then the second leaned in close and looked at the two of them, then it looked at the box, then back to them. The other slammed the side of the box with the staff, eliciting a groan from Taylor, though it was probably from fright rather than pain as it merely hit the bars. “Bad.” The one said to them.

“He must be like a translator or something.” Isaac said to Zac. He then looked at the thing in front of them, “You have to let him out of there, he can’t breathe. He’s too big for that box!” He said, pointing to Taylor.

Again, the one hit the box and the other said, “Bad.”

“Great, they only know one word.” Zac said. “Dude, Tay, what did you do that was so bad?” Zac asked, making sure he was nowhere near the bars. He didn’t want to get hit with that stick.

“…ran, I guess…” he squeezed the words out.

“How dare you try to run when they’re trying to capture you.” Zac uttered. The creatures watched them as they spoke, their large eyes shining in the lights of the place and their ears moving towards each of them when they talked. “God, I hope they’re not going to eat us.” Zac said, a shiver going up his spine as he looked at the claws on the end of furry fingers.

“Eat.” The translator said. He then turned to the one next to him and gave some sort of orders.

He came back and they watched as he poured a can of beans in a large bowl. He then handed the stick to the translator and walked around the side of the cage. Again, he whacked the side of the cage, causing them to draw back from it and the other quickly opened the door and slid the bowl in. He then shut it again. “Eat.” The one said.

Zac and Isaac looked at one another. “This is a nightmare, right?” Isaac said.

Zac shook his head, “Well, I guess it’s better than an anal probe like most people get when they get abducted.” He said. “Do you think they’re gonna just…study us and then let us go like most people?” He asked his brother.

“What do you mean, like most people? How many people are missing in this world without a trace? I’d bet a lot of them are in the same boat we seem to be in.” He said.

“Great Ike, thanks for the hope, man.” Zac answered. He looked back at the two watching them. “Um, I don’t think you want me to eat that crap, my stomach’s already upset.”

“Eat.” It said back.

“I’m not hungry!” He said back, getting frustrated.

He hit the box again, “Bad!” He shouted.

“…for crying out loud, Zac! Eat!” Taylor said, as loudly as his lungs would let him. “…everytime they hit this thing, it rattles my brain…”

Zac and Isaac crawled over to the bowl, “Ew, it looks like kidney beans.” Zac said.

Isaac leaned in and smelled it, “I think it’s chili beans.” He said. “What’d they do, just find a bunch of canned goods and that’s what they’re gonna feed us?”

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Zac said.

“Eat.” The thing said.

Zac closed his eyes, “My stomach hurts. If I eat that crap I’m gonna have to use the bathroom really bad and I don’t see one around here.”

Isaac gingerly put two fingers in the bowl and pulled out a bean, and put it in his mouth. He then licked his fingers and looked at the thing. “Eat.” It said back.

Isaac crawled towards the side of the cage now and pointed to Taylor, “Eat.” He said. The thing just looked at him for a moment, then, it turned to the other one and they spoke. It didn’t look happy, but it called over a third and together they pushed the box around to where the cage opened.

“Good work, Ike.” Zac said.

“I just hope we can open the thing.” Isaac said. They watched as the things opened the cage door, then shoved the box in and quickly slammed the door.

Both of them rushed over, as best they could in a cage three feet tall. The beings watched closely as the two of them looked at the latch. Though it was odd looking, it still had to act in the same way any other one would they thought and both of them began twisting and turning things on it. They weren’t sure what caused it to unlock, but with a loud click, the top of the box pushed open under the pressure of Taylor’s body under it. The beings began speaking to each other then, but still watching as Isaac lifted the lid of the box. Inside, was Taylor, curled in on himself, pretzel like. “God, Tay, I have no idea how they got you in here…” He said. Gently, Isaac grabbed his wrist and pulled it out, then he grabbed the leg of his jeans and pulled one leg up.

“ooOOwww…” Taylor whined, as his bones and ligaments moved for the first time since they’d stuffed him into the tiny cage. With his knee moving away from his chest, suddenly, he was able to expand his lungs and to get sufficient oxygen into his body; a wonderful feeling. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I can take a whole breath again…” he gushed. His arms had the marks of the cage on them and he knew under his clothes, many other body parts would too.

“What happened, man?!” Zac said, pulling his foot out of the box for him.

“Oh, God, that hurts.” He said, his eyebrows pulling together. “My ankle was like, twisted completely around under my butt.”

“That’s cause your feet are so big. So how’d they get you?” Isaac asked.

Taylor tried to stand, but his other leg was still wedged in. Isaac and Zac got on either side of him and pulled him up. He winced as his knee pulled the heavy box up off the floor, but he felt relief as it banged back down, and he was free. “Oh man, it feels so good to get out of that…” He said. “I don’t think I can stand though, my feet are asleep and this one leg too, all the way up.”

“Then lay down, dammit, and tell us what happened.” Zac snapped. They lowered him down and he stretched out on the floor of the cage, a grin coming across his face as his blood began to run back down into his extremities. “Ooooh, it’s that pins and needles thing.” He said, moving his foot around. He took in one more deep breath and began to tell his story.

“…so, watch the end of that stick. It’s like, a cattle prod or something. Remember that electric fence Mr. Simmons had at the back of his place when we lived at the old house?” Taylor asked, his eyebrows raised. Both brothers nodded, “Yep, it’s like that. It’s like, it paralyzes you or something. No more running. And, it must make it easier to get ya in the box.” He looked over at the two creatures staring at them. “So, how’d they get you? I just woke up and you were gone.”

“They just grabbed me out of the van and next thing I knew, I was waking up in here.” Isaac said.

“Well, at least they took you out the door.” Zac complained. “They threw a rope around my neck and drug me out the window. I bet they used that thing on me too, but it made me pass out, I guess, cuz I woke up here too.”

“I wish I would have passed out.” Taylor said, rubbing his wrists.

“Were you scared? I mean, you saw ‘em first, right?” Isaac asked.

“Not at first. I just thought it was one of Zac’s stupid friends dressed up like an idiot for the party. I yelled at ‘em for banging my keyboard around.” Taylor said, pulling his leg up then stretching it back out again.

“So, you yelled at them, then you ran from them…I guess they consider that “bad”, which isn’t a good thing.” Zac mused.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll be bad anymore. That thing was no fun.” Taylor said, eyeing the box that still lay on the floor.

“Well, be glad you’re flexible.” Isaac said. “God you guys, what are we gonna do?”

Zac and Taylor both shook their heads. Before either of them could speak, more lights came on around them and they could see more of the creatures now. They seemed to be doing something and soon, the boys realized, they’d be going on a trip. They’d hoped that they were in some sort of hideout, but as engines began to hum, and trajectories were displayed on overhead screens, they realized they were being held captive on a ship of some sort. The creatures who’d been watching them got up and went to seats in the dim room, obviously readying themselves for lift off.

“If we don’t get out of here now, we’re not ever going to be able to.” Isaac said, rushing over to the door of the cage. He prayed it would open, like the lock on the box, but no matter how hard he tried, it didn’t budge. He couldn’t feel any sort of lock or device holding the door shut. Zac and Taylor joined him, trying to find a way out; a hinge to loosen or a handle to turn, but there just wasn’t one.

Around them, the whole ship began to vibrate as power was thrown into getting it away from the Earth. As the shaking worsened, windows were uncovered and they could see the field and the stars in the sky. As it lifted off the ground, the shaking began to subside, but the mental discomfort they were feeling was far worse. They watched as the field and the road they’d been on got smaller and smaller. The beans in the bowl spilled over onto the floor of the cage, and soon it was followed by the contents of Zac’s stomach. If traveling on a boat or a plane upset his stomach before, being choked, electrocuted, kidnapped and slapped in a cage, and taken for a ride on a spaceship could easily cause him to need much more than a Dramamine tablet.

As his brothers tried to comfort him, the translator watched, angry that they’d made a mess, but also a little concerned that his quarry might not be in tip top shape once they got them to their destination. The Princess had asked for three exquisite specimens for her collection, and he’d definitely found them. These three Earthlings seemed to be prized on their own planet, they would be valuable beyond belief on his.

~~~~~

When the cage was lifted off the floor, it woke the three of them up. They didn’t know if they’d slept for one hour or eight.

“Are you feeling better?” Taylor asked, looking at Zac. He was answered with the stick against the cage. “What’s your problem?!” He spat. This time the stick came through the bars, eliciting a yelp from him and he backed away, laying his hand right in the Zac/Bean puddle. “Oh, man!” He cried, jerking it back and flinging it on two of the creatures carrying the cage. At once it was set down again and the translator was there.

“Bad!” He yelled in Taylor’s face. Both Isaac and Zac pulled him over between them.

“Good.” Isaac said, patting Taylor’s head as Zac pulled his hand over and wiped it with his shirt.

“Don’t say anything.” He whispered. Taylor nodded. There was a tense moment of silence in which the translator decided whether or not to push the bad one back into the box, but he finally just had the others pick up the cage again and continue the trek back to their home. As the door slid open, fresh air poured into the ship and bright sunlight as well. The creatures all squeezed their eyes down to slits, obviously not caring for the bright light. The three boys looked around them and saw a place similar to their Earth. They weren’t gasping for air, so obviously the atmosphere contained oxygen. There were plants and grass, though they looked a bit different than Earth. The cage was set down on a large, hard surface. In the distance, they could see a group of vehicles come toward them. There were no wheels, they just seemed to skim over the surface of the road. One of the creatures went to the door of the cage and slid it open, he then carefully reached in to take the bowl of beans out. When the boys turned to look at him, he hissed, showing sharp teeth causing the three of them to back up. He then slid the door shut and it clicked as it locked. The air was warm and soon, Zac and Isaac moved back a bit from their brother. The smell of beans and throw up was a little much in the heat.

The translator continued to give orders to those around him and soon, he was standing beside one of them as they turned toward the cage. In it’s hand was a large tank and what looked like a hose. He walked closer to the cage, and pushed the stick through the bars, causing Isaac and Zac to huddle in one corner and leaving Taylor separate from them. Then, he said something to the one beside him, and the hose was turned on.

Both Taylor and the side of the cage with the mess were drenched with a hard stream of liquid. “Holy shit! That stings!” He said, backing up as far as he could from the creature. Zac and Isaac watched as the mess was washed from the cage and their brother. When it was turned off finally, the cage sparkled in the sunlight, and Taylor’s hair hung in wet clumps and his clothes were dripping. They would have laughed if they’d been on Earth and not fearing for their lives. Now the translator poked the stick in, just close enough to make Taylor freeze, but not touching him. He put his face close to the boy and sniffed, his nostrils flaring and his eyes large and inspecting. Taylor was praying he wouldn’t be put back in the box, so he did everything in his power not to react in any way. Satisfied, the translator backed away and Taylor let out the breath he’d been holding.

Orders were given as the three brothers watched. Other things were brought off the spaceship. There were plants as well as two much smaller cages. One contained a bird, and the other was teaming with mice. “Shit.” Zac muttered. “I knew they were going to eat us.”

The translator walked over, “Eat. No!” He said.

“Hey, that’s three words.” Isaac said.

“He must be like, the trainer or something.” Taylor whispered.

“I don’t want to be trained.” Zac said softly.

“Pssshh, it’s better than the box.” Taylor said, just before the stick hit the top of the cage, causing him to duck down.

Now, the cage was surrounded by the creatures. In the sunlight, the fur covering their bodies shown in different shades of brown, and black, and tan. Their cat’s eyes were golden or greenish. Three of them stood to the side with what was horribly obviously leashes.

“Alright, just cooperate guys, and maybe they won’t hurt us, alright?” Isaac said, looking over at both his younger brothers. Both nodded, but he wasn’t sure either of them would be able to hold it together. For that matter, as he watched them slide the door open, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold it together. One of them crouched down outside the door as the translator nudged him in the back with the stick, prompting him to crawl towards the opening. When his head was close enough, the first slapped a collar around his neck and began to pull him from the cage. He moved quickly to keep them from choking him and was relieved to be able to stand again. He watched as the stick was pushed in towards Zac. Slowly he moved toward the door. He was shaking, he was so frightened and it took everything he had to just allow them to put the collar around his neck. Soon, he too was standing beside Isaac, while a seven foot cat held the other end of the leash. Isaac put his arm around him and they watched as three of the creatures gathered around the door to get Taylor. “For crying out loud, what do they think he’s gonna do?” Isaac whispered. Immediately, a furry finger was on his lips and warning eyes looked into his.

Taylor scooted to the door, before the stick could be shoved into his back. When his foot came within their reach, one of them grabbed it and put a cuff around his ankle, then began to pull him out of the cage. “Ouch!” He said, as his elbow caught on the side of the door. All the creatures tensed up, expecting the “bad” one to give them trouble, but of course, he wasn’t about to do anything, particularly with the translator standing there with the stick. Slowly, one of them came at him and snapped the collar into place as another finished the job of shackling him. He was pulled up to stand and to join his brothers. Walking wasn’t easy with his ankles unable to move freely, but he managed to keep up with them and to stand next to his brothers.

Now, they all backed up to stand in a line as the vehicles opened their doors. More cat-like creatures stepped out; some taller than the ones already there, and some a bit smaller, closer in height to the boys. These wore jewels around their necks and on their arms and some had shiny loops in their ears or other decorations on their bodies. Only one though, had a tiny, jeweled headpiece on it’s head.

“Are those females?” Taylor mused. He was answered by the translator kicking the back of his leg. He winced, but didn’t say anything.

Now the new ones walked up close to the boys, inspecting them with their glittering eyes. Their mouths seemed to turn up into smiles as they looked at Isaac. One touched the curly hair on his head and made a soft sound. Next, they marveled at Zac’s ponytail, maybe even laughing; it was an odd sound. When they got to Taylor, one shook her head and another scrunched her face up as she looked at his blue eyes. She pointed a long claw at his wet hair and snorted. Another noted the bands around his ankles with a disapproving cock of her head. The translator began to speak to them, grabbing Isaac’s hands and showing them to the shoppers. He patted Zac’s mouth and pointed to he and Isaac’s eyes. He then stepped toward Taylor, lifting up his wet hair and flicking his ear, then pointing to the ladies, causing them to laugh softly. “Maybe they like his big ears.” Zac reasoned quietly. The translator shot him a look and he immediately looked down at the ground.

Near them, on the ground, lay all their instruments and some other things from inside the van. The translator went over and gestured to the things, then pointed to the boys, talking all the while. The ladies seemed interested, particularly when he showed them the other two cages. He then reached into the cage the boys had been in and took out the box, pushing it over with the instruments. He then walked back to stand next to his captives.

The females looked over the boys again. The one seeming to be in charge pointed to Isaac first and he was pulled over to stand next to the other cages. The bird fluttered its wings and jumped around its cage. Next, she looked at Zac, putting her clawed finger under his chin and tipping his head up. She stepped to the back of him and ran a hand through his hair. She then pulled the leash from the hand of the creature who held it and gently tugged on it. Zac looked at his brothers, tears gathering in his eyes, and followed her. She led him to stand by Isaac and the relief that shot through him was immense. She handed the end of the tether to one of her companions.

She stepped over to the translator and began to speak, pointing first, to Taylor’s feet, then to his wet hair. He was hoping he wouldn’t be put back in the box when the three of them were taken wherever it was they’d be going. The translator seemed to let out a sigh of frustration. He pointed again from Taylor to his brothers, but the Princess shook her head, then walked toward the others. Suddenly, it became apparent to all three brothers, that they were about to be separated. Zac’s panic at the thought skyrocketed. “No! You can’t do that!” He said, pulling towards Taylor.

“What’s going on?” Taylor asked, looking back from his brothers to the translator, then back again. “She doesn’t want me?! She’s gonna leave me here without you all?!” His voice had taken on the same urgency.

Isaac didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t bare the idea of them being separated from each other, especially now that they’d already been taken from their family. Zac grabbed the leash and jerked it from the male who held the other end of it. He ran to Taylor, clutching at him as Taylor did the same. “Don’t let ‘em split us up!” He cried. He turned to Isaac, “Ike, don’t let ‘em split us up!”

Isaac looked at the female, tears in his eyes, “Please—“ He said, a pleading in his voice and in his eyes. He knew that of the three of them, Taylor was the one with the best puppy _expression, but at that moment, he took everything he’d ever learned from him and put it to use.

The male ran over and jerked on the end of the leash around Zac’s neck, causing him to cough, but not to let go. The translator was coming at him with the stick but the blow was deflected by Taylor’s arm. Isaac fell on his knees, “Please! Please…” He said.

The female looked over at the other two and shook her head. Then she walked over and began to have words with the translator.

Finally, it seemed to be decided that she wanted the other two enough to take a chance on the third, less attractive, and possibly troublesome one as both of them were drug over to stand next to their older brother. Isaac found himself in the embrace of both of them as the others looked on at the antics of the earthlings.

Soon, they were loaded onto what could be called a truck, separating them from the drivers of the vehicles, assuming there was a driver. The sides were open, but bars were close enough together that they couldn’t have escaped. They drove on across the land, watching as the strangely shaped trees and shrubs turned to a few buildings. “Do ya think those are like, houses?” Taylor asked.

“Probably.” Isaac said. “But, I don’t know. Would cats have houses to live in? Or do they live in trees or something?”

“Well,” Zac said, “if they can travel across the universe in a space ship, I’d think they don’t live in trees.”

Isaac chuckled, “You’re right.” He said. “So, they don’t seem to like us talking and stuff, so don’t do it unless you have to.” He said to both of them, and they nodded.

“And for Christ’s sake, don’t run.” Taylor added. “I guess they aren’t gonna eat us, because that wouldn’t have mattered I don’t think.” He mused. “Besides, since Ike seems to be their favorite, they must not care how much meat we have on our bones.” 

Isaac looked offended. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He said.

“Well, they probably would have wanted Zac the most if that was the thing.” He answered. Zac shot him a look. “No, I’m not saying you’re fat, I’m just saying, you’re not skinny like Ike.” Taylor said.

“Well, it could account for why they didn’t want you.” Isaac countered.

“Alright, alright. I hear ya.” Taylor conceded. “I’m just saying, I don’t think we’re here to be food for them.”

“I wonder if we’re gonna be servants or something? Like slaves?” Zac asked, worried.

Before either of his brothers could answer, the vehicle stopped in front of a gate. All three of them pressed their faces to the side to see what the place was like. There were large sand colored buildings and flowering shrubs decorating the landscape. “Man, you know what this stuff looks like to me?” Taylor said. “The paintings and stuff we were looking at when we were studying Ancient Egypt.”

Isaac looked at him, then back to the place around them, “It sort of does, Tay.” He said. “Very weird.”

“I hope they don’t have any of those half human gods and stuff, that could be sort of scary.” Zac added.

Taylor looked down at him, “No scarier than freaky cat people with sticks and boxes and stuff.” Taylor said. His brothers agreed, though they became quiet as the creatures got out and began to walk towards them.

“God, I hope we get to use the bathroom soon,” Zac said, “I’m about to go in my pants.”

“Damn, what if we have to use, like, litter boxes or something?” Taylor asked.

Isaac couldn’t help but laugh, causing the creatures to look at them strangely.

The translator had the door opened, “Come!” He said. They all three looked at each other, each noting it was another word they understood.

Isaac came first and again was put on a leash and led by a large male. His brothers followed and went through the same routine. Taylor stumbled now and then, his ankles still bound to keep him from running again. They were led into one of the buildings. The floors were hard and shiny and the walls were the same sandy color as the outsides. There was furniture, but it wasn’t of the same shape as furniture made for humans. In a corner of the large room there was a cage. It’s bars were shiny and ornate. Inside were two large, overstuffed pillows and two large bowls. Also, a hole in the floor. They were led to the door of it, then let off the leashes. The translator stood next to Taylor as the shackles were taken off his ankles, his stick ready in case the boy tried to escape. Once they were off, he was pushed in the door and it was closed with a loud clank. The females gathered around the cage and looked at their new pets as the males brought in the other things.

Taylor and Zac looked at Isaac. “Do you think it’s okay to talk now?” Zac asked.

Isaac shrugged his shoulders and the creatures giggled. “You know, Ike, I’m thinking they might want to use you as a sex toy.” Taylor joked.

Isaac looked over at them, and then back to his brother, “Shut up, man. I don’t even want to think about that.” He said.

“Hey, are we supposed to use the bathroom in that hole?” Zac asked. “Cuz, I’m about to die.” He said, walking over and looking down into it.

Taylor walked over to him and looked down in the hole as well, “Hmmm…I don’t know what else it would be for. I doubt we’ll have much garbage to be thrown away. Go ahead and see if you get the stick.” Taylor said, backing up. He put his fingers through the bars of the cage and pulled himself up. “This is strong stuff, whatever it is. I’m sure glad we can stand up.” He said.

“Me, too.” Zac said. “Hey, Tay. Stand in front of me or something, I don’t want them watching.” He said, looking at the girls as they eyed them both.

“Is it gonna stink?” Taylor asked.

“No, it’s gonna smell like roses.” He said sarcastically.

Taylor rolled his eyes, then stepped over and picked up one of the pillows. He drug it over to the hole, “Here, I’ll put this in front of you, and that way, maybe we’ll all be a little protected from the sight and the smell of it all. But, you gotta return the favor.” He said.

The creatures watched, not understanding what they were doing, but very interested. Zac did his business, praying the whole time that he wasn’t doing something wrong. He knew if he were to be put in that box, like Taylor, he’d go insane and die. When he finished, he stood and zipped his pants. “Alright, I’m done.” He said. Then, he held it up for both his brothers. As Isaac took his turn, Taylor wandered over to the other pillow and lay back on it. “Hey, this is pretty soft.” He said. The Princess began to speak, her hands on her hips and the translator walked over.

“No!” He said, pointing to Taylor.

Taylor looked around him, then over to Zac, “Is he talking to me?” He said. Zac shrugged.

“Bad!” He said. Immediately, Taylor jumped up and backed up against the other side of the cage. The translator lowered his stick and stepped beside the Princess where they seemed to discuss the situation.

Isaac stepped out and Zac dropped the pillow back on the floor, next to the other one. “So, if the pillows aren’t for sitting on, what are they for?” Zac asked.

“Well, they have to be for sitting on. I mean, it’s a pillow.” Isaac replied. “I’m gonna see what happens when I sit.” He said, and he sat down on the pillow Taylor had lain on. The Princess smiled and turned to her friends. Zac sat on the other one and received the same.

Taylor walked back over and stood in front of them, “Oh, fine. You all get pillows and I get the box. What the hell is up with that?” He said. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the translator, eliciting laughing from the girls.

Zac shook his head, “I’m thinking maybe she was only wanting two pups and she got three. I don’t know.” He patted the pillow beside him, “Here, sit on it now, when I’m here and see what happens.”

Taylor was afraid to see what would happen, but he figured he may as well find out now what was expected of him. The hard floor wouldn’t be a very nice bed, assuming this was to be their new “home”. Slowly, he lowered himself down and sat on the edge of the pillow. “This is crazy.” He muttered, but he was happy that he didn’t seem to be doing anything bad. For a few moments, they all just sat there looking at one another, the cat creatures and the boys. The silence was broken by the growling of Taylor’s stomach. “Man, I ‘m getting hungry.” He said. He turned to Isaac, “Hey, Ike, why don’t you go pick up the bowl and say the E word. Maybe they’ll give us something.” He said.

Isaac got up and went to the bowl. He then turned to the translator, “Eat?” He said.

The translator may have smiled, none of them were certain. It definitely was a better thing than his glare and the raising of his stick though, so the boys were glad to see it. He spoke to some of the males and soon the door was opened and the bowls removed. When the bowls were returned, they had one full of water and another full to the brim with beans. Zac scowled, “I cannot eat beans all the time.” He said. “It’ll kill me. I mean, I like ‘em in Chili, or a burrito, but that’s about it.” He complained.

Taylor slunk over to the bowl, his eyes on his nemesis, “Well, I’m not that big on ‘em either, but right now, I’ll eat just about anything.” He said, as he picked one out and placed it on his tongue.

Isaac sighed, then came over next to Taylor, “I guess it’d be too much to ask for a fork or a spoon, huh?” He said, picking out a couple and eating them. Taylor just snorted and continued using his thumb and forefinger to eat.

Zac eventually came over as well and ate a bit. “Ugh, I can’t believe I’m doing this.” He said.

To Be Continued...

Return to Index