Rylyx walked down the crowded streets of downtown Las Vegas, feeling out of place among the costumed humans. He tried to keep his head down and blend in, but it was difficult with his large scaled body and long, whip-like tail.
Unfortunately, his body lacked the energy to keep him cloaked after years of being trapped underground, given only enough nutrients to survive while humans experimented on them. His abilities were limited until he was given enough substance and a few nights’ rest.
As he walked, people kept reaching out to touch him, fascinated by his unusual appearance. He tried to move away from them, but the crowds were too thick.
At first, he had been amused by it all, but now he was starting to feel suffocated by the crowds and the constant attention he was getting.
Everywhere he went, people wanted to touch him, to ask him questions, to take pictures with him.
Xizi’s hearts pounded in his chest, and he could feel his scales flushing with embarrassment. He didn’t like being the center of attention, especially not when he was supposed to be on the run.
Even after all of his years in captivity, he was used to blending in with the other species on space stations, where his out-of-the-ordinary appearance was the norm. Even in the midst of an alien celebration, he couldn’t hide, and he felt a growing sense of panic.
Xizi tried to move away from the people, but they continued to follow him, trying to get a closer look at his scales and the intricate patterns that adorned his skin. He could feel their eyes on him, and it made him feel exposed and vulnerable.
As he walked, Xizi tried to focus on the sights and sounds of the city, hoping to distract himself from the uncomfortable sensation of being touched. But it was difficult to concentrate with so many people around him, all vying for his attention.
It was overwhelming, and it brought back memories of the labs where he had been studied and poked and prodded. He felt exposed, vulnerable, like he was on display for the whole world to see.
Finally, Xizi couldn’t take it anymore. He stopped in the middle of the street and turned to face the crowd.
“Please,” he growled, his voice shaking slightly. “Stop it! I don’t want to be touched.”
The people around him seemed to finally take notice of his discomfort, and they backed away, giving him some much-needed space. Xizi took a deep breath and continued on his way, feeling relieved that he could finally breathe again.
He wandered away from the noisy crowds of downtown and tried to calm his racing hearts, to let go of the fear and anxiety that had been building up inside him.
The further he walked, the more he became aware of the strange sensation in his chest, the throbbing sensation between his two hearts.
He looked around, taking in his surroundings.
He had wandered into a quiet, residential neighborhood filled with neat rows of condos. It was a stark contrast to the flashy, bustling downtown area he had just left moments ago.
But something drew him forward, like he was being guided by an unseen force.
He followed his instincts, turning down a side street lined with trees and well-manicured lawns.
Xizi couldn’t explain it, but he felt like he was being drawn towards the house at the end of the cul-de-sac. His steps quickened as he approached, his curiosity growing with each passing moment.
Xizi sampled the air with his tongue, his tail swaying restlessly as he tried to gather as much information about his enax from the surrounding aromas.
This was hisenax’sdwelling, and based on the scents surrounding it, she was a female human and shared it with at least one other.
If she had a clan, he wouldn’t take her away from them and would pray to the Stars and Fates that the Verya was wrong about the Yaarkins coming this way.
He couldn’t guarantee her a reliable or safe life away from her home planet, so he figured she should spend her final years among her own kind, hoping the Yaarkins wouldn’t come to the nearly defenseless planet.
He cursed the galactic government for abandoning such a species so close to their requirement for space travel outside their sol system, making them a target for pirates and now a potential invasion.
Whatever their reason for everything that had happened to him, the Stars had led him to her in order for him to meet his enax before his departure.
Without thinking, he jumped on top of her fence, his tail helping him balance on the narrow surface.
From his vantage point on the fence, he surveyed the backyard.
It was compact, with a small body of water filling most of the space. There was little room for grass, but there were a few potted plants scattered around the edges.
Xizi felt a sense of calm wash over him as he looked out over the water. It was peaceful, with only the sounds of the wind and the occasional bird breaking the silence.
