Alien Earth

      Using its head and what was left of its arms, the Marauder lifted itself off the wet ground.  It stared at its severed limbs as they flipped back and forth on the ground in front of it. The creature lifted what was left of its arms up in front of its black face, as though it was inspecting its wounds. Translucent blood poured freely through exposed arteries. The Marauder dropped to its knees. Save for the heavy panting coming from its dirt-covered mouth, it made no sound.

     The girl squatted down in front of the alien so that it could get one last look at its executioner. She leaned in close and gazed into the creature's eyes. Its black tongue showed through its opened mouth. Its breathing began to stifle.

      She rocked back and looked down at the alien's severed arms. For the first time, she broke her silence. "The bad news," she said as she smiled, "is that your body is bleeding out, and you'll be dead in a matter of seconds." She looked at the fat alien. Alien blood bubbled from its eyes, nose, and mouth. Its entire body was blistered. The creature released one last gurgled moan through blood-filled lungs before finally succumbing to the end of a painful death. "The good news is that you'll be dead before that starts happening to you."

      She stood and looked at the group of humans cowering on the ground behind her. The aliens she had come to know as Marauders had ravaged their villages and taken them captive. No one knew what the aliens did with the humans they captured. Enslavement onboard the mother ship, looming in space, was the story told.

      "It's all right, everyone! You're going home."

      The crowd cheered and celebrated their liberation. Celebratory hugs and kisses were exchanged between loved ones as well as strangers.

      The girl made her way over to the elderly woman who had been choked by the young Marauder. She was sitting on the ground, leaning up against an oak tree. Her young granddaughter, with tears in her eyes, lovingly reached around her. As the huntress knelt down in front of them, the young child turned to acknowledge her presence.

      "Thank you for saving my grandmama," cried the young girl as she wiped her nose across her rain-soaked sleeve. Her eyes were bloodshot from her crying.

      "Oh, sweetheart, you are so very welcome," the huntress said, softly rubbing the top of the child's head with her hand.

       "Are you ... an angel? Did my mommy send you down from heaven to help us?" the child asked.

       Surprised by the question, the huntress stood up and surveyed the group. Everyone watched curiously, awaiting her response. The only sound was that of the armless alien succumbing to its injuries and its lifeless body falling forward, face-first, to the ground.

     The girl returned to her kneeling position in front of the child. "No, sweetie, I'm not an angel. But I am here to help you." She helped the grandmother and granddaughter to their feet. "I'm here to help all of you," she exclaimed to the group. "My name is Hope."