They
came, they saw, they stayed
First
came one, then another, then two more. The four of them gathered on a quiet
street corner in almost perfect order.
"What about the rest?" one of them asked.
"They'll come soon", another answered.
"I'm tired of waiting" one of them finally broke out. He was a chubby baby
with no shirt. "Every day it's the same story! When will they finally show
up? damnit!".
The other baby, a redhead in a matching pajama suit looked up at the sky.
"soon", she said, "real soon".
It
was a scorching day in New York, a city always on the brink of madness. Honking
cars, gridlock traffic, and people always in a hurry. If only they knew what
was going on, they'd stop and stare, and they would probably call the police.
What was going on was the Noks, Aliens.
A small group of Noks, the "advance party", arrived as early as 1998. After
a quick recon tour of Canada, Mexico and Cuba, their team leader decided that
the United States was the most suitable place for them. Ever since then they
are among us, among you.
They look exactly like you, apart from some minor differences that will be
explained later. They started off in Brooklyn, then moved on to Queens and
now they're in Manhattan on vacation.
"At least that was what we're told", ranted Rob Rip, a toddler with a scar
above his upper lip. Rob Rip was an edgy type, and everyone in the Nok community
know not to mess with him. Though he was the size of a human baby, he sometimes
behaved more like a hungry lion.
"Ginger" he turned to the redhead impatiently, "When I'm on vacation I like
to relax, not wait around for Miss Nicole De Simone!" The redhead ignored
that remark, instead she asked him: "when did you take your Zever?"
"Last night. It had no effect".
"I noticed. You're getting very cranky", she said. "They should increase your
dosage. You keep growing".
Rob Rip raised his arm for her to check his nutrient gauge. She looked at
the little Nok symbol hidden in his armpit. The blue-green sign had turned
red. "Just as I thought," she said, "next time ask for a bigger Zever".
Suddenly, Ginger signaled to him to be quiet. A woman pushing a baby carriage
passed by, and Rob Rip started crying like a human baby who lost his mother,
while Ginger pretended to be his sister. The other two simply look silent
and scared. The women stopped next to the four babies. "Did you lose your
mommy?" she asked gently and patted Rob Rip on the head. Rob Rip growled at
the women and she jumped back in surprise. The woman then turned to the redhead
when she heard behind her a woman's voice say "Lady, they're with me".
The woman turned to face a tall slender young woman in a sporty outfit.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't see their mother anywhere".
"Now you do" she said and flashed a phony smile. The young woman knelt and
hugged Ginger, Rob Rip and the other two warmly. The other woman turned and
pushed her baby carriage away thinking of the young mother. Four births and
she still had her figure.
"It's
about time!" Rob Rip exclaimed as he freed himself from the grip of Nicole
De Simone. "Another moment and we'd be out of here". Nicole looked down at
the four babies. "You shouldn't have waited for me here, for this very reason"
she scowled.
They knew she was right. Nicole De Simone has lived in New York for more than
two years now. She arrived with the third and largest group of Noks. Nicole
was also a well-known singer. Though she was not the leader of the Noks, many
treated her as the leader. She had glamorous looks that would turn heads,
and an inviting smile that could make anyone like her.
"The group won't be arriving today," Nicole said. "They announced it won't
be for another week at least". They were all disappointment by the news. "I
knew it", Rob Rip cried out. I'm never coming back here again, no matter what!"
Nicole silenced them and asked, "Is there anything else I should know before
we scatter?" The four shrugged and so Nicole raised her hand and gave the
Sign.
The founders invented the Sign in order to distinguish the Noks from the rest
of the humans. It is done as follows: the Nok raises his left hand to make
a V shape with the middle and index fingers. Then he joins the right index
finger to his left hand to make an N shape, which is then moved away from
the body.
The four babies also gave the Sign. Each member of the group then turned and
went in different directions.
Rob Rip waited behind a bit, and when he was sure that he wasn't being followed
by a Nok, he returned to the meeting place. Restlessly he paced back and forth,
more nervous than ever. Ten minutes later a police car pulled up beside him.
One of the policemen opened the door. "Where's your mommy, kiddo?"
Rob Rip raised his hand and gave the Sign. The Policeman returned the Sign
and quickly rushed Rob Rip into the back seat.
"It sure took you a long time", the blue-uniformed Nok giggled.
"We were waiting for the group" replied Rob Rip "What could I do?"
The Nok-cop started the car, and they drove along their regular route.
"So where's the package, Rip?" asked one of the cops.
"Don't worry", replied Rob Rip. "It will be here soon".
"Your soon is a long way off", said the driver, "you know what we do with
Nok liars?"
Rob Rip remained silent. Fifteen minutes later they dropped him off back at
the meeting place.
"Remember what happens to Noks who mess with us," The cop warned as he shut
the door.
Rob Rip and walked away. The police car speeded down the street.
I've got to find Nicole, he thought. There's a lot of work to be done.
.