Page 46 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"Perfect parking job, if I do say so myself."

The breakfast is definitely cold by now though. I'll have to get her fresh coffee.

After I dispose of this spaceship somewhere inconspicuous. Maybe that empty lot behind the mall...

I ease the saucer down onto the mall's roof, nestled between the HVAC units and satellite dishes. The cloaking field shimmers, making it blend perfectly with the gray winter sky.

"That ought to hold for a few days." I tap the power readout. "After that... well, not my problem."

Let the humans deal with an alien spaceship appearing out of nowhere. Maybe they'll turn it into another tourist attraction, like that weird ball of twine Sam keeps begging to visit.

I hop down from the access hatch, my boots crunching in the gravel. The mall's Christmas lights twinkle below, reflecting off the saucer's invisible hull. Some teenager's going to get one hell of a TikTok video when the power finally dies.

But right now, I have more important things to worry about. Like getting Mel fresh coffee and explaining why I took so long.

The image inducer hums as I activate it, transforming my blue fur and horns into an acceptable human appearance. Just another holiday shopper heading home.

"Time to give Mel the Christmas she deserves." I check my reflection in a puddle. "No more alien invasions, no more government conspiracies. Just... normal Earth celebrations."

I pat the invisible saucer one last time. "Good luck to whoever finds you first."

The walk back to Mel's house gives me time to plan. She needs decorations - real ones, not the sad plastic tree in her living room. And presents for Sam. And maybe one of those holiday feast things I keep seeing advertised.

I'll make it perfect. Even if I have to threaten every mall Santa in town to do it.

No reason to tell her about my little space adventure. She has enough to worry about without knowing there's a Grolgath interceptor parked at the mall.

CHAPTER 17

MEL

"Be good for Krampus," I tell Sam as I grab my purse. "No wild parties."

"Mom, I'm eight."

"And remember?—"

"Don't tell anyone he's really an alien. I know." Sam rolls her eyes. "Can we have ice cream?"

"Ask your babysitter." I wink at Krampus, who's already pulling out board games.

The traffic crawls downtown, but I don't mind. Tiny white lights twinkle in shop windows. Red ribbons wrap around lamp posts. The scent of roasted chestnuts drifts from a street vendor's cart.

A month ago, I'd have been checking my phone every two minutes, worried about Sam. Now? The most dangerous creature in the galaxy is teaching her chess and making hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows.

The mall's giant Christmas tree catches my eye. Its ornaments shimmer in the winter sun. Strange how everything looks brighter lately. Maybe it's because I finally have time to notice.

"Earth to Mel!" June waves from the restaurant entrance, her red coat a splash of color against the grey building. "Over here!"

I pull into a spot and grab my purse. For the first time in forever, I'm actually looking forward to lunch with the girls. No rushing back to work. No checking my watch. Just good food and better company.

Who knew all it would take was a seven-foot-tall alien fugitive to give me my life back?

The scent of garlic and fresh-baked bread wafts through Bella's as June and I follow our hostess past candlelit tables. Tiffany spots us and jumps up, her smile bright enough to light up the dim restaurant.

"Look who finally made it out of the house!" Tiffany wraps me in a tight hug. Her familiar perfume reminds me of all the girls' nights I've missed lately.

"Someone's in a good mood." June slides into the booth across from me. "And you look different. New haircut?"

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