Story Continued

"We got the Skeeter. Any sign of the Arial?" The voice of another SF joined in.

Gonzalo scanned the skyline, then briefly glanced down at the construction site. A flash of blue green caught his eye. "Arial sighted." The mind-controlling SF had seen it too. He was calculating the coordinates to tell the SFs in the overlook, as Gonzalo watched its beautiful lithe body weaving in and around the unfinished building. Its iridescence unable to blend in with the tan and brown of the building materials. The head and arms were almost human, but at its waist its body became long and snake-like. As a child Gonzalo had often watched them fly and had tried to imitate some of their movements to aid his own flight patterns, and his former fascination kept him spellbound.

Suddenly, another movement caught his eye. The Binugs were conglomerating. He was about to convey the message to the overlook when one hurled a brick at the Arial. Unsuspecting such an attack, the Arial was unable to avoid the projectile. The brick hit its head and the creature went limp. Hardly knowing what he did, Gonzalo flew to it and wrapped his arms around its shoulders, supporting its head.

Its eyes were closed and blood was oozing from a gash across its forehead. But as it felt his touch, it opened its eyes. Confusion, then wonder, flashed across its face. It smiled and breathed out, "Zalo! how did you...? You were always there." The eyes flickered shut again and its breathing stopped.