Lucid by L. E. Fred

anything I’d seen in the real world and that included video game guns. You would think he was a super soldier, except I could tell he wasn’t human .
    His eyes gave him away. They were bright yellow, and like Serpentine, his pupils were different. Although hers were slits, his were rectangular, like a goat’s. He had a wispy, black goatee protruding from his chin, and a matching buzz cut with swirly designs shaved on the sides of his head, like horns .
    â€œLike what you see?” The stranger hoisted his gun off his shoulders. “Name’s Gruff, kid, and I protect this establishment. See that wall surrounding the perimeter?” He nodded to the window. I could see the concrete wall stretching out to the border of the jungle. “That’s my invention. Those living sensors are, too, like the searchlight that found you and your little friend yesterday. There isn’t a shot of you or your buddy getting in here or around here without my knowing.” He sneered as my face heated up .
    So that searchlight did spot Mitch and me last night. There was just no “INTRUDER ALERT” blaring out of speakers like in the movies. We didn’t even feel the searchlight on us .
    â€œBut relax, kid — ” Gruff chuckled at my fear, “ — y ou’re a guest tonight. Lucky too, or I could easily vaporize you with this.” He held up his gun again. “Miss Palma will see you now.”
    I’m not sure why Gruff didn’t scare me at first, maybe I was in shock, but I could now feel fear taking control. I held my sword tighter as Gruff steered me into a room behind the bed. I knew I wouldn’t be able to use it, being handcuffed and all, but I also didn’t want to let go of my only protection .
    The dim lighting in the room took some time for my eyes to adjust. Once they did, I saw I was in some sort of office. An elaborately carved, golden desk sat in the middle of the windowless room, and a fireplace burned behind it. A woman with voluminous, golden hair sat in a tall, red armchair behind the desk. She pretty much fit the bill for a stereotypical villain with her dark silhouette cast against the fireplace. The shadows of the flames made her golden eyes sometimes change to red .
    â€œDevon Alexander — ” L eona said smoothly, like a purr, “ — h ow I’ve longed to speak to you. Please have a seat.”
    I didn’t really have a choice. Gruff already pushed me into a small, wooden chair, similar to the one outside my principal’s office .
    â€œHe won’t need his new toy, either, ” Leona said in a more businesslike tone to Gruff.
    As soon as he tried pulling the sword away, something strange happened. I could feel part of myself still in my bed clutching my bat. I held on even tighter, tight enough to prevent Gruff from taking it .
    â€œWhat the…” Gruff pulled harder, but my sleeping self held on. I looked at Leona. If she found this surprising, she wasn’t showing it. Instead, she merely smiled.
    â€œNever mind . ” S he waved Gruff away.
    â€œUm . ” Gruff let go of my sword slowly. He eyed the blade suspiciously.
    â€œThat will be all,” Leona said with slight force. Though she didn’t shout, the glint in her eyes said it all. Gruff hurried out of the room. She turned to me, smiling slightly. She reminded me of a sly cat who had finally cornered a mouse. I tried speaking but I only managed to clear my throat with a small squeak .
    Great, I thought, maybe I was a mouse .
    â€œDo you know why you are here, Devon?” Leona’s question startled me.
    â€œI…” My voice came out squeaky again. I tried hiding my fear, coughed, and repeated in a deeper voice , “I guess because you brought me here . ”
    â€œNo, you misunderstand me . ” Leona kept smiling. Why was she having this stupid conversation with me? “Do you know why you are in this world when you are