The Rat Pt.2

Kay: I'm not human. I'm from a planet called Galatalia.

Mira looks at Kayleb and snickers before bursting out with laughter.

Kay: What?...What's so funny?

Mira: You don't expect me to believe that do you?

Kay: But it's true!

Mira: Sure, whatever you say kid.

Kay: I'm serious. I'm telling you the truth.

Mira: ...You know what, I had enough of this. If you're not going to leave then I will.

Mira stands up and walks away.

Kay: ...Wait! You're not going back there are you?!

Mira: Nope. If I do, they'll kill me.

Kay: Where will you go?

Mira: ...I don't know.

Kay: Then come with me!

She stops in her tracks.

Kay: ...You'll have a place to stay, and you'll be safe...Please, at least allow me to make things right for messing things up for you.

Mira: ...Why?

Kay: W-Why?...

Mira: Why are you trying so hard?

Kay: Well, at first it was because I thought you were pretty and I wanted to get to know you. But now that I stand here with you I see that there's a lot that troubles you...and I want to help you.

Mira: I-I don't need your help.

Kay: Everybody needs help every now and then. Please...give me a chance.

Mira turns to face Kayleb and walks towards him.

Mira: In the world I live in, 99 percent of the time, chances get you killed.

Kay: But there's still a chance that it wouldn't.

She looks deep into his eyes and sees that he really does want to help.

Mira: Fine…Lead the way.

Kay; Uhh, about that. I don't know how to get out of here. So if you can just...

Mira: ...Follow me.

5mins. Later. Outside of the woods and on the way home.

Mira: Are you sure about this? Is it really okay for me to just pop out of nowhere?

Kay: Yes, I'm sure. Just let me do the talking and everything will be alright. Now, are you sure we shouldn't walk faster? What If those guys come after you?

Mira: It's fine now that we're out of the woods. They wouldn't dare come out in daylight and cause a commotion. Speaking of, you messed them up back there, how'd you do that?

Kay: Back on Gala I was taught how to fight ever since I was a baby.

Mira: ...Aren't you supposed to have green skin and a big head?

Kay: What? What makes you say that?

Mira: Because you're an alien right? Do you pee out of your finger?

Kay: No, I don't. Did you get all this from watching tv?

Mira: Of course. I'm just trying to play along.

Kay: Well, I'm serious. Do you see this bracelet? It's so that I can't use my powers. When we get to my place you'll see that my siblings have them too.

Mira: You're really trying to get me to believe the stuff you're spouting, huh?

Kay: Yes. I have no reason to lie. And by the way, what makes you think that because I'm from another planet that I'd have such horrendous features?

Mira: ...Hmmm, good point. I guess I never really put that much thought into it.

Kay: I can see that you're still iffy about the whole thing. That's okay, you'll see in due time. I just ask that you don't tell other people, I wasn't even supposed to mention it.

Mira: I mean, I don't even have friends. But sure, my lips are sealed I guess.

Kay: ...Mira, why do you hate humans?

Mira: It's a long story.

Kay: We got time..

Mira: ...You really want to know?

Kay: Yea!

Mira: …Fine. Uhh…when I was younger, my parents ditched me and never came back. I don't know why, so don't ask. But, I was left alone, and over time, I obviously got hungry, and stuff so I started to lose hope. Nobody wanted to help me and they would just walk on by and pretend as if I wasn't there.

Occasionally there would be people who would walk up and claim that they wanted to help me, but as soon as they got close they would touch me in weird ways. They would take me along and I would run away as soon as I got the chance. Stuff like that went on for months and as much as I tried nobody cared. That's why.

Kay: Hmmm, I understand now. But how did you end up with those guys?

Mira: Well, I had to steal food to survive. One day I got caught and as I was running away, I bumped into a man that goes by the name Jay. He paid for the food I stole and as he walked away with me, he told me that I owed him. He took me in and I've been living with him since.

Kay: And what about your friend Alex?

Mira: ...I met him when I was finally allowed to go to school. He wouldn't leave me alone so I just ended up becoming "friends" with him.

Kay: Seems like that's the only way to become friends with you.

Mira: Ha...Ha...Anyway, he ended up finding out about my situation and became very overprotective. Even though he can't fight to save his life, he goes as far as to try to beat someone up if he thinks they're bothering me.

Kay: I've noticed.

Mira: ...Oh, I had forgotten. He had given me this note to give to you. He told me not to read it, so I'm guessing he wants to apologize.

Mira hands over the note.

Kay: Why a note?

Mira: He couldn't come to school. You injured him, remember?

Kay: Oh yea, I forgot.

Kayleb looks at the note and it reads, "If I ever see you talk to, look at, or even think of Mira again. I'll kill you."

Kay: Hmm...

Mira: What?

Kay: I see why he didn't want you to read it. It was a pretty cheesy apology.

Mira: Ha, I knew it.

Kayleb crumples the note and tosses it.

Mira: That's littering you know.

Kay: Sorry, I kinda just...ya know.

Later. In front of the door to the house.

Kay: The moment of truth.

They walk in and see Lilli on the living room couch reading a book.

Kay: (Damn.)

Lilli: Did you enjoy the clu- Uhh… Kayleb what is this? Who is this?!

Kay: Lilli, this is Mira, Mira, this is my sister, Lilli.

Lilli: Hi, nice to meet you… what is she doing here?!

Kay: I want to see if Mira can stay here with us.

Lilli: Are you crazy?! She can't stay here! What if she finds out about-...you know!

Kay: She already knows, I mean, she doesn't believe me yet but she knows.

Lilli: She knows… She knows!

Mira: You know what Kay, this wasn't a good idea to begin with, I should just go.

Kayleb takes her hand and grips it tightly.

Kay: Lilli please, she has nowhere to go.

Lilli notices just how much Kay really wants this.

Lilli: Ugh...Fine. I'll talk to Mrs. Lisa when she gets home. Go upstairs, you and I will talk later.

Kayleb runs upstairs and Lilli directs Mira to the couch.

Lilli: Please, sit… I'm sorry about all of that.

Mira: No, no, that's okay.

Lilli: So, how did you end up in this situation?

Mira: Your brother followed me.

Lilli: He followed you?!

Mira: Yeeaaa.

Lilli: ...I'm so sorry about that. He never really had friends or been around others like that to know not to do those kinda things.

Mira: It's honestly okay now. At first I was freaking out, but now I'm a little glad he did it. If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be dead right now.

Lilli: ...What happened?

Mira: I don't really want to get into it. Just know your brother showed up, beat up some guys, and saved my life.

Lilli: Well, even though what Kayleb did was wrong, I'm also glad he was there to help you.

Mira: Honestly, It shocked me how he took them down. I would've never guessed he was capable of something like that.

Lilli: Yea, well, people do tend to underestimate him.

Mira: ...I still don't understand though. Why me? Why is he so interested in me?

Lilli: Look, I can't tell you why, because I don't know. But what I can tell you is this, for some reason he cares about you… or at least wants to. He always does the most for the people he loves.

Mira: Love?

Lilli: Well, maybe in your case it's a strong like… How old are you exactly?

Mira: 13.

Lilli: Hmm… Well, you're not that much older than he is. You also must be very smart since you go to school with us, and you're also very pretty. So I can see why he likes you. Two problems though. Your hair is very messy and you stink.

Mira: Uhh… Sorry, I haven't taken a shower in two days. I've been using my friend's cologne to mask the smell. I guess it's starting to wear off.

Lilli: Okay, first of all, gross. Second, you're not that much smaller than me so my clothes should be able to fit you. I'll show you where the bathroom is, follow me

2hrs. Later.

Lilli is working on Mira's hair.

Mira: Ow.

Lilli: Sorry. I'm almost done.

Mira: ...Lilli, can I ask you a question?

Lilli: Sure.

Mira: Are you guys really aliens?

Lilli: ...Yes, we are.

Mira: What is the name of the planet you come from?

Lilli: Galatalia.

Mira: Huh, That's the same name Kayleb told me.

Lilli: Listen, I'm only telling you this because Kayleb opened his big mouth. Please do not tell anybody about this.

Mira: No worries, I won't tell anyone.

Lilli: Thank you… you can get up. I'm all done.

Mira: I should be the one thanking you..

Lilli: Well in that case, you're welcome.

The door unlocks and Lisa and Gerald walk in. Lilli then rushes to the front door to welcome them home.

Lilli: Mrs. Lisa, Mr. Gerald, good afternoon.

Lisa: Good afternoon, Lilli. How was school?

Lilli: It was great!

Gerald: Someone seems very excited. Who's this sitting on our couch? Is she your friend?

Lilli: Uhh...Yes, yes she is. I actually have a question for you regarding her.

Gerald: And what's that?

Lilli: Umm...Uhh. Aw, screw it. Can she live here with us? She's homeless and has nowhere to go.

Gerald: Uhh, Lilli, you can't just be picking up homeless children and bringing them to our house. We don't run an orphanage.

Lilli: ...I know, but she's different.

Gerald: How so?

Lilli: Well uhh...We became friends in school and uhh, when I was walking home, I saw her being harassed by some guys so I helped her out. Soon after, she told me about her situation and I just felt the need to bring her home to keep her safe.

Lisa: ...What is your name sweetheart?

Mira: Mira.

Lisa: Where are your parents Mira?

Mira: They're dead.

Lisa: Do you have any family you know of?

Mira: No, ma'am.

Lisa: Nothing at all?

Mira: Nothing.

Gerald: I don't know about this Lisa. I don't think we can afford for her to fin-

Lilli: She already knows!

Mira: And I promise to not tell a soul! I also promise to help around as much as I can if you allow me to stay!... Please! I won't survive if I go back out there on my own!

Lisa: ...I'll allow it.

Gerald: Are you sure about this Lisa?

Lisa: ...She needs our help. I'd feel terrible if anything were to happen to this little girl and I was able to help.

Gerald: Alright then.

Mira: Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

Lisa: No problem. I'll get started on dinner.

Gerald: Actually Lisa! I'll make dinner today.

Lisa: Are you sure?

Gerald: Yea, yea, go relax. Spend time with the girls.

Lisa: ...O-Okay.

Later that night. After dinner.

Lilli: Mrs. Lisa, Mira and I finished washing the dishes.

Lisa: Okay, thank you, Good night.

Lilli: Good night.

Lilli walks down the hallway with Mira to the boys room to retrieve some night clothes for her.

Lilli: Hey boys, we're going to bed.

Jake: Alright then.

Kay: You're not sleeping in here, Lil?

Lilli: No, I'll sleep in the other room with Mira.

Kay: I can sleep over there instead. If you want.

Lilli: No!

Mira giggles.

Lilli: Good night you two. Love you.

Jake: Good night.

Kay: Good night, Lil. Good night, Mira.

Mira: Good night, Kay. And good night to you too, Jake...Oh! One more thing. Kayleb.

Kay: Yes?

Mira: Thank you.

She waves to him good night and goes off to the other room where Lilli is waiting.

Lilli: Okay, pick a bed.

Mira points to the one on the left.

Mira: That one.

Lilli: Alright, here you go.

Lilli hands over the clothes then walks over to her bed to lay down. Soon after, Mira finishes changing her clothes and does the same.

...

Mira: Lilli?

Lilli: Yes?

Mira: Can you tell me about your planet? Ga...la...

Lilli: You can just say Gala.

Mira: Well yea, Gala.

Lilli: Well...It's very beautiful… and the people are nice I guess. Uhh...that's the best I can do for you really. I'm not very good at this stuff.

Mira: That's okay, just from that, it already sounds better than Earth...I'd love to go one day. Anywhere but here.

Lilli: When we get everything sorted out, you can come visit.

Mira: Really?

Lilli: Of course, if you really want to. I'm sure Kayleb would love for you to come as well.

Mira turns on her side with her back facing Lilli to hide the tears escaping her eyes. She then whispers.

Mira: ...Thank you...Goodnight.

Lilli: ...Good night, Mira.