Page 36 of Claimed by the Alien Warrior Triad

Lila wilts under my gaze, and gets the message to stop making excuses.

“It’s just some dumb website. Reddit. People say random stuff on there. I was reading some post about things people saw, but that no one would believe them.”

I snort, and peer at the page. I look at the comments with mild interest, trying to keep my face stern so Lila doesn’t think she’s going to get off easy.

“I once saw a dog shoplift a sandwich from a gas station. Full on knew what he was doing! The little guy had the smuggest, sneakiest look on his face.”

“I once saw a toddler juggle. The kid was like, three at the most, and he legitimately juggled Lego pieces! No one believes me! Not even the mom, who honestly should just be proud of her kid.”

“I know you guys aren’t going to believe me. I’ve never told this to anyone… but 12 years ago I saw something truly insane. This happened in New York. There was this cute chick, real professional looking, and for some reason she walks into an alleyway. So, of course, I follow to see what the hell she saw in there. And I swear – I swear it – these three shirtless albino giants appeared out of nowhere, snatched her right up, and then just… disappeared. I don’t do drugs, I’m not crazy, and this really fucked me up over the years – because I honestly know I saw it… Think I saw it… But it makes no sense.”

“Uh… Mrs. Wells? Aubrey? Are you okay?”

I come back to reality. I’ve been standing stock-still for over a minute, reading and re-reading the last post. I point a shaking finger at it, not sure if I’m imagining it.

“Can you read that? Do youseethat?”

Lila is uncomfortable – confused. I don’t care. She doesn’t know if I’m going to chew her out, or I’ve gone off the deep end. “Umm… It’s just some crazy guy who thought he saw an alien abduction, or something.”

I nod, and walk away.

“Mrs. Wells? You forgot your folder!” Lila’s voice calls from behind me. I keep walking, barely seeing my surroundings until I’ve finally taken the town car back to my penthouse.

I fire up my laptop and search for the Reddit thread – and then I spend the next half-hour wide-eyed, staring at it like it might be a trick.

Then I break down crying.

It happened. It happened! Oh, God, all of that was real!

Tears stream out of my eyes as I feel a horrific grief overcoming me. All this time I accepted that I was mad – and yet, even then, I felt a deep sense of loss at something I’d told myself was only in my mind.

But it wasn’t…

Twelve years ago, somebodyelsesaw me snatched from that alleyway by those three towering, shirtless aliens.

Knowing that it’s all real twists the knife deep into my old, unhealed wounds. I could have spent the last twelve years loving and being loved. I could have spent the last twelve years without the constant anxiety and stress that follows me like a dark cloud.

I pick up my iPhone and call the office. Lola picks up. “Wells, Gold and partners. How can I help you?”

“It’s Aubrey. I’m taking a leave of absence. One week. Marissa will step up on my caseload. She has my cell.”

“Mrs. Well? Are you okay? That’s…”

I hang up before she can finish her sentence. If anyone is up to the task of handling my files, it’s Marissa. She’ll prove herself under the doubled workload. None of that really matters though. Not anymore, does it?

How did they open the portal?

I think, and think, and think. I’ve been trying to figure it out for twelve years. Then it hits me. The portalshimmeredwith the same light as their weapons, which all had tiny black orbs in the hilts.

Orbs! Orbs are the key!

I open up my online banking and check my funds. I can get three million liquid cash by tomorrow. That’s just a start. I’ve got lines of credit available that are deeper than most businesses.

But I need more information. I pick up my phone, scrolling through the contacts and placing the call. I’ve already conjured the scenario to get our firm’s lead private detective agency to do what I need them to do.

“Aubrey. What do you need?” Jed’s voice is curt, but not unfriendly. The former Marine’s gruffness just means he’s busy.

“Something personal. I’m going for a huge contract with a risk profile a little out of our range. This is a long shot, and I’m pursuing it without the partners’ knowledge. It doesn’t carry risk to our professional relationship with you, but I need to move without red tape. Can you do it for me?”

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