> They were very thin, hungry, but afraid to ask. They were told these strangers made you pay more than your money for their aid. And she had very little money to begin with. -- Anon Guest
There were a lot of stories about these invaders from the stars. How they did terrible things. How they ruined worlds. How they ruined lives. How they preyed upon the weak and the vulnerable and did despicable things to children.
Eidel had been hiding for weeks, trying to avoid them as they infiltrated more and more of the world she knew.
They were huge. Thundering around in battlesuits as big as vehicles. Rounding up people Eidel knew. Taking down whole buildings piece by piece.
She had to cover her mouth when they took down the corner depot, lest her crying reach their alien ears. If they even had ears. All she could do was watch as crate after crate of food vanished into their house-sized vehicle. Which then vanished into the terrifying too-clean glitter of their expanding territory.
Eidel would have thrown up when they found her shelter... if she had anything inside her _to_ throw up.
"It's still warm," said one.
"How can anyone still live _here_?" asked another. "Sure it isn't an animal?"
"Animals don't disarm traps, Loeb," said the first one. "And this area's been too desperate to keep pets."
"Sad," said Loeb. "Heat print's small. Think it's a kid?"
"Kid. Someone with stunted growth. Doesn't matter. They're out here, hungry, and scared."
"And cold," added Loeb. "We gotta do something."
Eidel never went back to that area. Seeking out another one night after chilling night. She found blankets. New, clean, and fresh. Always in very obvious spots. Always in bright colours and friendly patterns. She didn't know if they were traps, and left them alone.
The MRE's in stash-corners, Eidel could trust. Barely. She'd snatch them up and scurry away to her latest hiding spot to tear it open and gorge on the contents.
She started to get suspicious when those stash-corners _refilled_. On the other hand, food was food was food.
Then one day, there was a stranger near a stash-corner. Smaller than the battlesuits, but still clad in something stiff and cold. This time, the stranger had a face. And a string bag half-full of ration packs.
The stranger froze. "Hello," they murmured. "I won't hurt you. I promise. Are you all alone out here?" They sounded like the battlesuit who had spoken with Loeb. They offered a ration pack on one outstretched palm. "I know you're hungry."
Eidel had dropped in from above. Her usual escape was blocked by... a battlesuit. The other ways out were full of rubble or sharp shards. If she tried to run... she would die for sure. Either by the stranger, by the wounds, or by the infections afterwards.
Shivering from the stomach out, Eidel closed her eyes. Waiting for the first impact.
Something thick and soft wrapped around her. Covering half her head. Her shoulders. Her arms. It was warm.
Eidel peeked. It was a fluffy blue blanket with little yellow ducklings on it. Something the rich people would have. Something that was a crime for her to touch. And the stranger was holding it on.
"I can't pay," Eidel whimpered. "I can't pay." She didn't have enough in her to make tears, but she sobbed anyway. This was going to hurt... These strangers were twice her size."
"Prop a gander," muttered Loeb's battle-mate. "I promised I'm not going to hurt you. I meant it. We're not here for profit, okay? We're here to help. Free of charge."
She understood each word, but they didn't have any meaning when they were put together like that. "Everybody has to pay," she said. "Cash, gas, or..." She couldn't say it.
"Nope," said Loeb's battle-mate. "Absolutely not. Tell you what, you tell me your name and I'll consider it advance payment on everything you need."
"Eidel," said Eidel, still cringing.
"Pretty name. Your needs are paid for in full until next year. You can call me Bob."
By the time the year ended, Eidel understood that she didn't owe the Alliance a single thing.
[Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@cozmicphotos?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Nathan Wright</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/concrete-staircase-covered-with-dirt-and-stones-H3r_2uF4CSU?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>]
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