Animorphs fan-fic: Preface

Preface

     “No! No! Help! Somebody help me! Don’t let th—” my complaints were cut off when the strange, walking-Swiss-army-knife shoved my head into the brown sludge. I struggled violently to free myself, but the strong, alien arms kept me pinned to the pier and soon I could feel something at my ear. My heart accelerated past plausible pace and I could feel my head slowly starting to spin. A man in a cage had been “kind enough” to fill us in on the terror we were about to go through, but it had in no wise prepared me for what was about to happen.

     The slug-like creature entered my ear canal, even with the numbing substance it bathed my ear in, it was the most excruciatingly painful thing that I had ever had to endure. I could feel it crawl through me ear canal as they brought my head out of the sludge. I wanted to scream again, but I realized with a wave of panic that I had lost control of my body and that this creature was easing itself into the crevices of my brain.

     “Will you be alright, Lilten eight-one-two-six?” asked the Hork-Bajir, as they were called, that still held me, “This is your first human host, after all.”

     I swayed and the creature caught me. Suddenly, forgotten memories from my childhood flitted past my eyes, too fast to digest. The thing in my head pushed away from the Hork-Bajir and walked in small circles around the pier. “Yes, I believe I’ll be fine now, thank you Donat two-four-seven-four,” it said through my mouth. The words were cold, emotionless. I had a sudden impulse to wash out my mouth.

     <Please don’t struggle,> an unfamiliar voice asked in my head, <You’re only making things harder on yourself.> I was terrified, but my body was perfectly calm as it walked down the pier and to a doorway.

     “Don’t forget to be a perfect mimic of your host and return every three days, no matter what. Sit down over there until you are certain you can replicate her perfectly. And no matter what, make sure you do not blow your cover,” a cute, male teen instructed lazily, pointing to a row of chairs on a wall. As I turned, he said, “Oh, and according to my host, your host is ‘cute’,” he snickered devilishly.

     Had I had any control of my body, my face would have turned beet red. A hot guy thinks I’m “cute”? Again, had I had any control of my body, I would have fainted.

     Instead, I whirled around angrily to face the hot boy’s mocking smirk. “And what is to be meant by that?” I demanded furiously, eyes flashing in warning. Apparently, the thing in my head was not yet ready for an act that required so much balance and I began to fall over.

     The boy caught me and suddenly his adorable face was unbearably close to mine. “Careful, wouldn’t want to hurt your host’s beautiful face.”  His breath was hot on my face, his arms held me close to his body, his face couldn’t have been an inch from mine, and his mocking eyes were so gorgeous. I guess the yeerk in my head was too inexperienced to hold back my emotions because I was suddenly able to pull free and seat myself next to a Hork-Bajir. I clenched my hands in my lap and stared at them, waiting for my heart to stop attempting to break my rib and the heat to disappear from my cheeks.

     I was vaguely aware of a figure taking the seat next to me. I felt a hand grip my face and gently life it so that the only things I could see were those bright blue eyes. “Have you regained control of your host yet?” he asked romantically. I could feel his breath on my lips and knew how dangerously close they were to his. My heart flipped in response.

     The yeerk clamped down furiously on the controls and slapped his hand away so that she could pull me away. “You knew she would do that!” it accused lividly.

     He pulled way reluctantly and sighed, “Your faster than most. So disappointing. And I almost got a kiss too. And to think I was actually looking forward to this one, such a pity.”

     The Hork-Bajir from earlier approached us then. “Go to post,” he commanded the boy furiously.

     “Another time then, perhaps when you’re not in her.” He stood up and left to go back to his position by the door.
The Hork-Bajir took his place at my side. “Are you alright?” it asked in a voice full of concern.

     “He made me lose control,” the yeerk pouted.

     “It’s okay. I heard that human females are nearly impossible to control at that age. I think you did a wonderful job. Now just sit and sift through your host’s memory.”
She closed my eyes and suddenly my whole life flashed by in little over five minutes. I felt horror and deep sorrow that had nothing to do with me settle deep into my stomach. <How horrible…> a voice said in my head, <I’m so sorry. Ugh! Where are my manners? I am Lilten eight-one-two six. As soon as we’re out of the yeerk pool and I’m sure you’ll be good, I’ll give you control, okay?>

     I was startled by this sudden change of pace. <Uh…sure…Hey, can I call you Lilly? The other name’s confusing.>

     I heard a chuckle in my head. <Lilly’s fine. So how ‘bout we skidattle? That “mutual” thing starts in about half an hour, doesn’t it?> My brain panicked. Mutual! If I didn’t hurry, I would be late!

     <Hurry!> I pleaded.

     She stood up abruptly and the Hork-Bajir looked up in surprise. “Done already? Must have been a pretty cursory download,” it commented with concern.
“My host has a meeting soon, it would be extremely uncharacteristic if she was late,” she stated coldly. Her eyes warmed and she turned my face to look down at him and admitted with a blush, “Actually, I went through her whole memory.” Then turned and ran out of the door before the boy could try anything.