“What were you still doing in the toilet? Do you have stomach pain? It’s not safe outside……Are you OK?” she asked puzzled while looking at the terror in her daughter’s eyes.

” I want to sleep mother,” she replied. She remembered her mother had a genuine heart, she always cared but she didn’t want to frightened her.

A few minutes before the conversation , Chichi loved watching stars outside and took a walk after dinner but she felt a horrible and panicky feeling . Her mother ,Glenda ,never bothered ask her what she was doing outside ,she thought maybe Chichi had a runny stomach as always because of her ulcers. 

Chichi stared at the sky while admiring the beauty of the horizon. She saw a strange big silver coin rotating in the sky. It was not a coin but a strange flying object with small lights like windows with lights inside. Her mother had always warned her that outside was not safe at night after old women in their area had been attacked by thieves. Chichi wouldn’t listen because she was too obsessed with night view because she hated day light that made her eyes sore especially after reading.

Chichi had dropped out of her grade 10 to work because she was never good at any subject at school, she was tired of coming home with ‘F’ results . She worked at fast food outlet. School was exhausting as she described her experiences. Her mother accepted her decision and supported her through the way.

She was confused to her first night horror and jumped in her bed and clutched the duvet tightly while peeking through the ceiling as if she was afraid something would come in the room. She heard her mother sing a song while echo of clattering,she knew her mother was washing the dishes. She visualized her mother dancing with a wooden spoon but she sighed and turned to sleep with the side.

” Wake up and smell the coffee,” she muttered through her breath. What she saw was appearing in her eyes as she closed her eyes like a dream forcing to appear.

She had seen a strange object flying around the yard and it turned and land in a neighbor’s house,two yards away and she creepy followed it. She was too curious but her heart was pounding and her stomach clutched tightly . Se had seen this type of object on movies and it came to her mind that it looked like a UFO .She now understand why they said curiosity killed the cat. She stood behind a tree watching the UFO which had a opened door . The few lights outside couldn’t review what was happening except the chirping of the crickets.

Suddenly Mmà Masika and her grandson , Nyiko appeared coming from their house. A strange blue creature with a big head appeared from the ship. It had long fingers like chicken ‘s feet. It had round eyes with black balls and no pupils. It had two small holes on each side of its head. She assumed it was their ears. But something was making her feel heavier,Mmà masila and nyiko acted like zombies ,they were like they were like they were controlled by a remote. The alien ‘s eyes darted back and forth before it ushered Mma Masila and Nyiko into the ship before it door slided , closing it. The engine of UFO resonated and ground vibrated.To her it was she was like watching a alien movie with her featuring in it.

She watched the UFO spinning off while her breathing accelerated and she wanted to return home but something was draining her as she stare at the opened door. Her knees wobbled and strength left her. Her feet were heavy as she dragged them inside the house . She was worried what if thieves broke in. She heard muffled coming from a room infront of her and recalled Mmà Masila had other young grandchildren ; Tim and Tiny as she looked in the dark room with rays of the outside light from the neighbors.She rushed inside and heard sobbing from behind. Her flops made squeaking sounds on the ceramic tiles.

” Who is that?” a young voice squawked showing it was nervous and uneasy.

The room was too dark and she walked watching her feet so she wouldn’t step on things in the house. Mmà Masila was tidy and loved her vases and fancy displays which she put on the floor in the living room. Chichi strolled to the the room where the voice came from.

” Its me ,Chichi,” she answered and switched the light on. The children were peeking behind a blue stripped duvet and were astonished to see Chichi in their house.

” Where is granny?” the children yelled with terror in their eyes. It was obvious they had seen what happened to their granny or they had seen them taken by aliens.

She was confused but gained her strength after the initial shock had subsized . She gestured to them that she only wanted to help them and she wouldn’t harm them. They lay in their blankets and looked at Chichi vigilantly.

” I don’t know, but,she would be back soon,” she assured them and the fear in their eyes turned to joy but confusion was still roaming in the room. They felt safe again but terror remained in their faces. 

“Okay,” they said in a raspy voice simultaneously. She smiled at them but her stomach wouldn’t stop rumbling even the children heard the sound but she had to do something quick.

” You must hungry … Granny made a lot of sample you can eat ,”Tiny spoke sincerely but Chichi chuckled while the boy looked at the door.

” I aren’t hungry….. its going to be okay,” she gestured to Tim to come closer when she saw his face and she sat on the bed

” Let me tell you a story,” she continued , jested and planted a fake smile on her face.She sighed and became more stronger for the children,she was clearly the only bigger person there.

They nodded simultaneously and listen attentively. She knew which story could make them sleep, though she made up the story. It was what she imagined but inside she was confused and flustered.She wipes the scowl on her face and act normal but her heart was thudding.

” Once upon a time there was a big spaceship that came on earth. It had strange blue creatures .They came and changes into us and destroyed us. The strange blue creatures and big round eyes with long skinny legs and hands . They had no nose or mouth but their voice was like robot…,” she paused and noticed they were sound sleep .

She headed home after closing the door. The sky was getting shining,there was a big star shining that brought light .She couldn’t sleep but let her mind wander like a lost sheep . Her mother was snoring and she sighed . She peered behind the duvet again and knew she visualized everything that happened when she went outside to watch stars. She wished it was a bizarre dream that would not happen.

” I need to wake up and smell the coffee. This is real,” she muttered between her breath.

“I ‘m glad I didn’t tell Mama”