The Mimics; February 22nd

"Mother…" I whispered softly, almost reverently as her radiant figure glided into the room. I reached out of the bare cage I lay in, a gaze, anything…

Mother walked slowly to her desk of vials, the soft green gown trailing her like a goddess. She inspected a few vials before sighing and grabbing one before turning around, eyes glancing over the rows of cages on the wall. My siblings and I, we beamed with joy as mother's eyes fell upon us, some even had tears begin to fall as she walked towards us. she stopped in front of me, I backed away from the door hesitantly as she undid the lock, allowing the door to swing open.

"Come Alice…" her voice was divine, a breath of relief washed over me as I stepped out of the dirty cage. Mother had called me, given me… a name! Alice, how sweet, how beautiful it sounded coming from her lips. I'd forever treasure the sound.

Mother poked at my bare flesh, humming softly to herself as she examined me. I had to force myself not to tremble with excitement. My breaths nearly caught in my throat as mother slowly combed a few loose strands behind my ear.

"You'll do… follow." She turned, walking out of the room I had spent almost my whole life in. I glanced at my siblings, the envious glares they gave me as I followed mother.

"Mother, where are we going?" I asked excitedly as we entered a reflective box. Once the doors closed it trembled slightly, then rose. Mother sighed softly, muttering to herself.

"Who'd have thought they'd be so many? They aren't even Philippine, what could they want on Luzon? And that damn lizard, killing my precious Gora… I'm sorry… What was that Alice?" She asked, her radiant scowl now directed at me.

"Where are we going, Mother?" I asked again, my breast felt warm and fuzzy. The more Mother's gaze lingered the more it persisted.

"I need a spy… maybe you'll get lucky, seduce their commander, find out why there are so many soldiers invading my Luzon." She grumbled, casting a glare at her reflection. She stepped closer to me, her hand caressing my cheek and lovingly tugging at it.

"I'm going to clean you up, get you some clothes and teach you a bit, and hopefully you'll be useful and find out what the invaders want from me." She replied.

Invaders? My blood slowly began to boil, my hands began to shake with anger. Who would dare attack dearest Mother? The… audacity! My teeth audibly grinded themselves together as I imagined tearing the offenders limb from limb, presenting their bloody stumps to mother and being praised. Yes, kill the invaders and be praised by mother… The thought made me happy.

The doors opened, resealing a large, spacious room with luxuries and furniture crowded all about. Save for a pair of specters invisible in the corner, we were alone in a suite with a grand view of the city. My breath caught, seeing the number of ships crowding the bay. There were dozens, and hundreds of smaller ones cycled between the beaches of Bataan and the ships offshore.

Mother stood beside me, staring at the ships. "These are the invaders, and there are far more of them than you can see here. There are thousands, likely tens of thousands invading my island. And I need you to tell me why."

"I… I don't know Mother." I stammered, face paling as I stared at the hordes of enemies making landfall. She grabbed my wrist, pulling me away. Casting me into a shower, scrubbing my body clean. She brushed my hair, her voice thick with barely controlled rage.

"You'll infiltrate their ranks, be captured by them, I do not care. You will find out what they are here for, what they want. Why they attacked my Gora, why they let him be killed by that lizard. Why do they attack my nests, kill my children?" I winced as my pulled some hairs but said nothing, basking in the attention my Mother was showing me. She gave me clothes, jeans, underwear, a blue blouse, and boots. She handed me a bag packed with snacks and clothes, some hygiene things and clamped her hands on my shoulder, her eyes boring into mine.

"If you can, cozy up to their commander, Befriend him, entrap him… I do not care. Learn from him why they are here, after that, you may kill them all, once I have been informed of why they attack me." I nodded slowly, lovingly smiling as Mother's eyes bored into mine. How beautiful they were, even stormy with fury. Mother walked me to the door, handing me a small black pistol and ushering me out, closing the door behind me.

I took a few breaths, calmly repeating everything Mother had said to me, committing it to memory with a smile. I left the building, the undead swarming around it giving me just enough room to walk unhindered. I cast one last look up at the suite Mother lived in and smiled at it. I would make her happy, I'd trick these stupid invaders and tell Mother their plans and she would praise me, maybe brush my hair again.

The thought filled me with determined excitement. I started my trek. Determined to make Mother happy, to see her soft smile again.