“I’ve already jeopardized myself by telling you. So, ask me any questions now before it’s too late,” she says while her bottom lip trembles.
“Too late? What do you mean?” My voice cracks. I can’t imagine life without Anna.
Up until two minutes ago, I would’ve called you insane if you told me my girlfriend was a shapeshifter. It wasn’t until her bones cracked and she took on three new forms —curvy Marilyn Monroe, then a wide smile Julia Roberts, and finally a gyrating Elvis —that I believed her. I’d be lying if I said I’m calm. The hair on my neck is standing straight up. I can’t look at her the same–these beings wearing Anna’s voice.
What else has she lied about?
Why did she keep this from me?
How many more shapeshifters are there?
Since my face can’t lie for me, she seems to notice the thoughts buzzing in my head. “I know you’re going to have a lot of questions for me, but you need to do one at a time. Okay?” My anxiety must be painted all over my expression.
Now, being the constantly anxious person she tolerates — and hopefully loves —I have a million things to ask.
“Are you an alien? If so, are they nice like you? Why are you here on Earth?” I ask, thinking of more questions by the second.
“First thing: aliens are mostly assholes. I’m here to bring stability to your planet before you all go extinct. Humanity is getting out of hand–all of the hate, ruining the atmosphere, and overall sadness.” Anna says to me while her jaw clenches.
I stop in my tracks. I had questions about Star Trek being real. But this is something bigger than that. Something crucial for survival.
Her eyebrows grow stern. “I need to talk to you about something serious.”
Her flat tone shuts me up. She never sounds this cold. Even when we argue, it’s usually uncomfortable for a few minutes before we find a reason to laugh together.
I want to grab her hand. However, is this really the hand of someone I love? Was it a ruse the entire time? “Whatever is going on, we’ll figure this out. We got through Christmas last year at my parents’ house. Remember my mom’s turkey?”
She squeezes my hand the way she did that night. It feels like all her strength in one grasp. “Yeah, truly the worst dinner I’ve ever had. I faked my smile all night. You’re always better than any Christmas tree, my love. Which is why this is so hard…”
Before she can say anything, there’s a pounding at the door.
A voice shouts, “LET US IN!!! WE KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE, PRINCESS!”
I look at her in shock, my mind reeling with confusion and alarm. “Why are they calling you Princess? I’m supposed to be okay with you being a shapeshifter and now royalty?”
Her face morphs into a teal alien. Her soft brown eyes stay the same. The softness is overshadowed by fear. Her crooked smile is the same one I fell in love with five years ago.
She grabs my hand. “Don’t forget me.”
“I could never…”
The door gets kicked down. Two aliens with their faces hooded grab her by the wrists.
“I LOVE YOU, MICK! ALWAYS AND FOREVER,” she screams.
My heart is in her hands, squeezed painfully between fear and love as I feel her slipping away.
I go to defend myself and put my fists up.
The aliens remove their hoods in synchronization.
Their faces glare back at me.
Faces identical to mine. Same messy beard. Same scar above my eyebrow. The same terrified expression I must be wearing right now.
One of them smiles with my face. “Thanks for keeping her distracted.”
The door slams. I grab the handle, my right hand revealing a scar I’ve never seen before.
This isn’t my hand.
I feel like I’m wearing a pair of gloves.
Someone else’s pair of gloves.
When did I stop being me?
