Chapter 33 Laura's POV

We all had to get out of the house today, so that Eve's contacts could check it for bugs. Not a nice thought, one of the disadvantages of being a celebrity. My agent had been urging me to get out into the public eye. What that usually meant was having a lunch in one of the celebrity restaurants, where people go to be seen. Eve was going to a music studio to produce one of her new songs so I rang Mya, an actress friend of mine.

Chapter 31 Sophia's POV

I got a surprise when I got in the limo, Laura was there. She asked me about my day. Normally, when I had been asked about my day previously, it was just to check than nothing major had happened and that everything was alright. Laura wanted to know details, with good, obviously interested questions, she drew my entire day from me. Not just the facts, but how I felt and why I did what I did.

Chapter 30

We ate in companionable silence for a while. Chelle looked in much better spirits.

“So....why is a pretty new girl not surrounded by admirers?” Chelle asked.

“Pretty?” I said with a smile. Chelle smiled back and blushed. “I think the whole school already knows that I am not from rich parents. That alone is likely to keep most away. I think most of the jocks have been asked to keep their distance.”

“Why would they do that?”

Chapter 27 Sophia's POV

I stayed buried in Laura's chest crying until I could regain control of myself and my emotions, then I pulled back a little and looked up at her. The fact that I was so short really enhanced my feeling of being a child.

Chapter 25

The rest of the day was partially planned. Eve had managed to shift her schedule so that we could still do the singing lessons and gym, even if I was at school. Eve had her lesson or practice session, starting at three and mine was at four pm. Jane was due to start the personal training at five. In the meantime, I had to make some choices as to what to study. Eve and Laura were going to call some friends and see if they had any recommendations regarding therapists.

Chapter 24

It was just me and Eve going. Eve decided the car journey was the perfect opportunity to discuss what she knew about the school. She had only moved in the last couple of years, so she wasn't a long term resident and could only report what her school contacts had told her. The school was a public school, but it was catering to a very rich area with extremely wealthy contributors. The teachers were said to be first class and the facilities excellent.

Chapter 22 Agent Atworth's POV

I entered the directors office clutching the file that I had been given three hours ago. He indicated for me to take a seat.

“Well, what do you think?” He asked me.

“It's incredible.” I replied.

“What are your conclusions?” He prompted.

“That we may have an UE inhabiting a human body. The evidence is all circumstantial, but it is all pointing in that direction.” I suggested.

Chapter 20

Laura helped me touch up my makeup. I think my face still looked a fright, my eyes all puffy and red. We still had a lovely dinner, although the conversation was geared towards what happens next. Tomorrow Gem had the morning off as it was Saturday, but she needed to be in for the afternoon. The plan was to pack as much as we could that morning so that we could move in when Gem went to work.

Chapter 19 Sophia's POV

“These are the shitheads who already killed us once, ain’t they?”

 

Fantastic Mars
8. Tongues of Mars

by Erin Halfelven

Chapter 16

I had another bad night. I don't really remember what I am dreaming, just wake up terrified. I usually wake to the sound of my own scream. I am shaking and crying and I don't even recall what has made me so scared. In the end, I can't get back to sleep, so even though it is the middle of the night I tried to get up.

Chapter 14

Singing? As Dillan I had never liked my voice, so sang as little as possible. The only singing I had done as Sophia was to a few songs in the car with Gem. “Err...only in the car.” I replied.

“What was the last song you sang?” She asked me.

I blushed since it was one of her songs and for some reason that made me feel embarrassed. “Gratitude.”

She laughed. “Come with me.” She jumped off the couch again and headed off at a fast pace. I don't think she knows how to do anything with less than full energy.

Chapter 13

Why did it have to be lizards?

 

Fantastic Mars
7. Lizards of Mars

by Erin Halfelven

Chapter 10 part 2 Gem's POV

No Fricken Way! I thought for probably the hundredth time. I started reading the last entry but that made no sense, so I went back a few days and that confused me more. I ended up flicking back to find something that I could comprehend. That turned out to be a week before the holiday. There, Richard was Richard and behaved exactly how Amy had told me. Then there was the bus journey and everything changed.

Chapter 9

Gem had hired a car so we drove to the police station using the GPS. I stuck close to her side which seemed to help me with my anxiety. They led us to a room and brought out my family suitcases and boxes filled with all our stuff. Gem suggested that I fill the suitcases with all my clothes and everything of my parents apart from their clothes, which would be donated or discarded. She needed to fill out some paperwork so I was left to my own devices. Since there was no one else in the room I was fine with that.

Chapter 6

Author warning. There is some violence in this chapter.

Getting back to the ski resort was a bit of a let down. I had an underlying stress about dealing with Richard and I think Amy did too. We didn't see him until the evening meal. He hardly spoke a word to any of us and glared at me whenever he wasn't eating. When he finished he just got up and left. I wasn't wearing anything too feminine, but it clearly wasn't Richards clothing and I'm sure I saw him staring at my hands with my recently painted nails, at one point.

Chapter 4

We got back to our room.

“Richard is an arsehole.” Jen stated angrily, shutting the door.

“Don't forget he is only fifteen and I would say a young fifteen at that.”

“I don't think that excuses it. He wanted to steal your money and hard work.”

Chapter 3

The next morning we arranged to meet Richard and family that evening to try and work out our future. I stressed a bit about my relationship with Jen and whether choosing to stay female would make us sisters rather than a couple. It did make me briefly reconsider, but my internal voice was clear. The future, as always, was a mystery. At least now I was looking forward to it as a great adventure rather than dreading what was to come.

Chapter 2

My memory of that night was pretty disjointed. I know Jen ordered room service and vaguely remember picking at some food, but for the life of me, I couldn't tell you what it was. I woke up with a full bladder in one of Jen's PJ's. Evidence suggested that I must of taken my clothes off and put on Jen's. My recollection about that was sadly lacking.

If no one remembers my name, do I really exist?

 

Fantastic Mars
5. Names of Mars

by Erin Halfelven