The star ran in the forest, darting through the darkness, he picked out his path easily. Following the startled deer, his strides easily caught up with it. Goading it, he ushered it into the direction he wanted it to go in. The road.

The deer billowed and cried as it realised that this was no ordinary human, its body glowed with a light it had never seen the colour of before, shadowy features were hidden amongst the stark white light that emanated from its skin. Terror leapt through its system as it crashed headlong into bushes that cut through into its flesh.

The deer hurtled onto the road. Seconds later, intense light filled its vision, with an ache that it had never felt before, bones broke and internal organs were seared with pain as it collided with something heavy and cold.

The star watched as the car twisted and turned down the road, the deer coming to a skidding halt, hurtling down the road on its side. Safe in the knowledge that he was alone, he stepped out into the road, his body illuminating the space around him. Devoid of human features right now, he kneeled by the animal. Dying breaths greeted him as he heard the car crash to a halt further down the road.

Grabbing one of the beast’s legs, he pulled the animal back into the forest. Ignoring the cries of agony that were leaving its torn throat.

* * *

Jaxon awoke with a start in the bashed and broken car. Coughing his way back into life, he realised that things had gone to plan. He just hadn’t banked on feeling like shit in order to achieve his goal.

Pushing the door with effort, which was heavily damaged, he dropped onto the road. Oh fuck. His body hurt in more ways than he could ever imagine. Spitting glass from his cut mouth, he assessed. He had done some damage to his head, blood was reeling into his eyes.

Brushing it away, he bit back the stinging and straightened up. He didn’t have long.

The road was moonlit now, enough to make out Cassidy. He stumbled around to her side, aware that the road was wet with rain. His strength coming back as he realised the fight ahead.

He checked that she was alive, her dying right now would equal a major spanner in the works. Satisfied as he spied the gentle heaves of her chest, he realised that she’d been hurt pretty bad. Blood poured from various harsh cuts, including one on her forehead.

Shit.

Steeling himself, he unhooked the seatbelt and pulled her out. Gathering her into his arms, he walked as best as he could further up the road.

His legs wobbled, and then finally gave way about 100 yards or so later. Plus Cassidy was stirring back into life.

Jaxon, shakily, ran into the dense hedges that lined the road. Hunkering down, he watched.

She sat up, spitting blood. His eyes picked out the detail in her. She was terrified, and called for him. She sounded desperate and oh so afraid. A lost emotion poured through him. He loved her. He did. He didn’t wish her harm. But she was chosen.

She was up, wobbling along the road, still calling for him. He bit his lip as he realised the confusion and anguish that she must be feeling. It would last for years.

Jaxon focussed on his mission. Moving further into the woodland, picking out the forest in the dense dark as best as he could, he ran for nearly five minutes straight, and then skidding to a halt in a clearing, he realised he had come to the end of his life. For now at least.

In the middle of the clearing lay the deer. The deer that had hit their car. Battered, bloody and dying, Jaxon went to it. He searched the space, the star’s light bled down from above. Guiding him.

“You chose a deer?” Jaxon wiped the blood from his eyes, “A fucking deer?! Are you out of your mind?” A soft, pained groan escaped the beast as it entered the last few minutes of its life.

Placing his hands on the belly of the animal, Jaxon pressed.
“For fucks sake,”

Uttering words that the star had taught him, Jaxon called the soul of the deer, and his own. And parting himself from his body, he freed the dying deer. A sweeping, lazy, sense of dizziness crept through Jaxon. It started from his feet, crawling into his gut. His vision swam, and his heart stopped cold. Panicking as he realised he wasn’t breathing any more, he resisted the urge to cry. He had to be strong. The star knew what it was doing. Trust. It was all about trust.

With no theatrics or drama, the deer died, and Jaxon’s corporeal form slumped to the forest floor.

A gentle thump in his chest indicated that his heart had restarted. Getting up, Jaxon called the star to heal him. And it did. The ripped muscles, broken bones, the torn skin healed. Jaxon’s soul was now inside the deer.

Rearing up, Jaxon tested his new body. Connecting his gaze with the star as it entered the clearing, they realised that they had succeeded in their mission.

The star moved to Jaxon’s body, and pulling him up, the star headed towards the road. Imbued with hope, the star walked. Jaxon stumbled along behind him, quickly getting used to his new legs.

* * *

Watching and waiting, Jaxon saw the star place his body back into the car. Cassidy lay unconscious beside the vehicle.

The star resisted the chance to advance his schedule, she was asleep, he could... No. He had patience, and he had to call on it. Otherwise years of planning would be wasted.

Cassidy would be given a gift, and in return, she would give anything to keep it. It would take 2 years and he would call on that patience that many had called a curse. But he had it. And he would not fail.

* * *

The star watched from high above in the night sky. Cassidy was being ushered into a waiting ambulance. She was sobbing, devastated cries as she realised that she had lost her husband.

He turned his gaze to body of Jaxon being placed onto a stretcher, then covered as people began the task of understanding why this accident had happened.

They would find reason, understanding, even Cassidy would. But his truth would never be known. Everything had changed for her. And she was more powerful that she could ever imagine. The key, the solution. His answer.

The star would take care of her, and show her the way. It would be painful. But in the end, she would ultimately respect him. And from there... The star smiled.

The star heard a rustling in the bushes below. It was the deer.

It reared up, and connected his gaze with the star’s.
“Good,” Said the star to Jaxon, “Good,”
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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

Her heart was pounding at the madness of it all. Her hands were bunched into fists, and she would have loved to take an almighty swing at the star right about now.

She headed back into the lobby of her apartment block as water welled in her eyes as she pulled out her phone from her handbag. And to her delight Jaxon answered.

“Leave me alone,”
His words cut her.
“Jaxon!” She sobbed gently, “Please!”
“All this time…” He said, his anger barely concealed, “You’ve…”
He just couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“This is not what you think!” Staring up, she implored the God in heaven to help her. She hadn’t even imagined that she could lose Jaxon this way.
“I’m going home Cassidy,”
“Jaxon, come on, please just hear me out!”
“No,”

It took the next five minutes of harried conversation on her part to get him to agree to meet her.

Cassidy had hailed a cab and directed the driver to Jaxon’s hotel, which was just on the other side of the park. Soon, she found herself knocking the door of room 1741.

The door opened and Jaxon, red eyed, let her in.

The curtains had been drawn, and Jaxon’s unopened suitcase lay on the bed.
“Please don’t go home,” Weeks of pain and sorrow lurched through her system.

Jaxon sat down heavily on the bed, rubbing his eyes.
“I flew over here to surprise you, to be with you,” He looked up at her, and the raw anguish was all over his face, “Explain it to me Cassidy, and it better be good,”

Slowly, she pulled her jacket off, suddenly feeling warm and light headed. She sat on a spare chair, and she realised that she didn’t even have the words.

“You are having an affair,” Jaxon said.
Her speech locked away, she simply shook her head no. And looking him directly in the eyes, she realised that she needed to tell him the truth. She had to offer something of herself, some reality. And in a horrible rush, with moments filled with tears, Cassidy breathed the entire story to him.

Jaxon stood up, heading to the window and pulled away the curtains. A glittering view of the city appeared to them. He then opened the window as much as he could and stood, taking deep breaths of air.

Cassidy’s emotions charged through her, and she stumbled to the bathroom where she threw up.

Hunkering beside the toilet, she waited until the nausea passed and her stomach stopped turning.

“I think you need to see a doctor,” Jaxon’s tone was calm, even. He was standing at the bathroom door.
“Believe me, that’s what I first thought,”

She flushed the toilet, and got up, despair flooding her all over again. Cleaning her mouth with water, she turned to her husband.

“This must be something to do with you falling down the stairs,” He said.
“It’s not, I didn’t fall,”
“I saw you,”
“You didn’t,”
“I did!”
“Those memories aren’t real!”
“For fuck's sake Cassidy!” Jaxon thumped the door frame and headed back into the room.

She followed.

“Jaxon I need you to understand something,”
But he wasn’t listening.
“You’re telling me that I died, that I was killed in a car crash on the weekend that we went to Southgreens? I remember that weekend, we spent the entire time in bed! I didn’t die, we didn’t have a car crash!”
“Those thoughts aren’t real,” She said as calmly as she could, “We hit a deer… The car crashed… I don't know how he did it... But he did ... The star did something to change...”
"Change what?"
"Life... He changed our lives,"

Jaxon came up to her, suddenly, his hands cupping her flushed face.
“Oh honey, you need to see someone, you’re not well…”

She pushed him away.
“Jaxon, right here, right now, I need you to understand that this is real and is really happening. The space object that crashed? The one that the entire world is looking for? It was in me! Then it became human, he’s been torturing me ever since that day!” As she said it out loud, it did sound crazy, off the wall, but for her, it was the truth. And he had to believe her.

Sheer frustration caused him to take Cassidy by the shoulders and shake her,
“Oh my God!” Jaxon roared, “Just stop it! Stop this shit! You’re really freaking me out!”

Cassidy pulled away,
“I went through the agony of losing you, then losing my best friend in some sick exchange of lives, then you came back…” The tears reeled in remembrance of all she had been through.

Jaxon couldn’t stop his tears either, he was genuinely terrified that Cassidy was battling some psychosis that he couldn’t help with.
“I buried you, I went through such loneliness and you have to understand it, for two years Jaxon!”

“This is a real elaborate way to cover up an affair,” Jaxon lost his energy and sat down.

Cassidy went to him, kneeling before him,
“I can prove that what I’m saying is real, the star, he's real,”
Jaxon shook his head sadly,
“Cassidy…”
She focussed,
“I can prove it, you have to trust me,”

Jaxon couldn’t say anything, his eyes vacant. Lost.

Cassidy held up her hand under his gaze.
“What?” He said wearily.
“Just watch,”

Cassidy trained her gaze to Jaxon’s. And within a second his eyes widened in horror.
“Fucking hell!” He scooted back onto the bed, his breath coming in short pants, “Your veins…!”
“It’s traces of the star,” Cassidy spied the silver, strangely unaffected for once. If this was her reality, then she was getting used to it.

Jaxon got up off the bed and stared at his wife. She moved, wanting to hold him, but he just stepped further away. And it broke her heart.

“Get out…” Jaxon whispered.
“Jaxon… Please!”
“Just get out!”

Cassidy found herself on the street. The sky was a furious tornado grey, a rain storm looming as the dawn arrived. And as she tried to find her way back to her apartment, she saw that the star was waiting for her just outside the entrance to Jaxon’s hotel. And he knew what she had done.

“You told him,” The star’s tone hinted that he was impressed.
“I did. He thinks I’m crazy,”

Exhausted, she began wandering towards the hotel’s taxi rank.
“I want to go home,”
“I’ll come with you,”

And she didn’t have the energy to argue.

Back in the apartment, she fell into bed, aware that the star was pulling the covers back for her, then tucking them around her.

“Sleep,”
“Jaxon…” Cassidy’s eyes drooped shut.
“Don’t worry,”

The star sat on the bed, running his hand over Cassidy’s hair. Soothing her into sleep. He mimicked her breathing pattern, pulling a sense of peace into him. He almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

* * *

It was the next morning. And the text message she had received from Jaxon said that he was going home. And that they would get through this together. He would be taking a later flight, as the one that Cassidy was travelling on was fully booked. But he was offering her his support. Whatever she was going through, she wasn't alone any more.

Cassidy had taken her seat in first class, and sinking back in the large chair, she turned to face the window. Rain was battering against the body of the jet, it was going to be a bumpy ride she thought, in more ways than one.

Jaxon’s faith in her buoyed her emotions, and she smiled through her tears as the jet roared up the runway, and then up into the sky. She curled up in her seat, safe in the knowledge that her husband would help her through this trauma. The star had said that she needed to "learn from this". And she had.

* * *

The star stood outside room 1741. He knocked. Jaxon opened the door a few seconds later.
“We’ve got her,” Jaxon said.
The star smiled, a lazy smile that denoted victory.
“We’ve got her my friend,”

The star stepped into the room.
“Jesus, you’re going to really do it,” Jaxon said.
The star straightened his shoulders, a sense of purpose running through him. And he loved that feeling.
“I will not fail this time,” The star said.

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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

She was back at work now, her boss had called to see how she was getting on after her “tumble” and crucially when she would be back at work. A deal needed Cassidy’s touch.

Astounded, she had sat and listened to the man. This was the man that she herself had handed her resignation in to after Jaxon had died. Forgoing the six figure salary and generous benefits. It just simply had lost its meaning.

Feelings unfurled inside her chest as she walked through the long terminal, she had loved her job, missed it terribly. After Jaxon’s death she ended up settling for something that wasn’t financially or career satisfying… She had wanted nothing to do with her old life… But this was her new life now wasn’t it?

Joining the queue to clear immigration, her small case by her side, she remembered the conversation. With a long lost positive tone, Cassidy had told her boss that she would be back in the office the very next day.

And here she was, in New York. And she couldn’t suppress the smile from her face. She had called into the office back home, met her colleagues, who were happy to see her back, safe and well, familiar faces that she remembered so well. Fresh flowers had been placed in her office, along with a card filled with welcome back wishes.

Cassidy had stood at her office window, looking out across the city, from the high vantage point that the building commanded. And with a sense of purpose and hope, she accepted this new life. This new gift. And silent thanks to the star were automatic.

She left the airport 45 minutes later. The limo awaiting her. And pulling all her confidence back, she got in. Her back melting against the soft leather seat, she closed her eyes as the driver set off. She was home in more ways than one.

She thought about the star however. Coming home after her encounter with the star at the supermarket, and facing a life without Jaxon had caused her to accept the blind challenge it had laid out for her. Do you want to play? It had said. What challenge or game did it have in store for her?

She hadn’t seen the star since that day, but she recalled every bit of the terror she had felt as she had experienced that night without Jaxon all over again.

She had sobbed herself to the point of exhaustion, and upon waking, she had felt the familiar weight of Jaxon’s arm slung over her hip. The star had kept his side of the deal.

* * *

It was a new day. And it had turned out to be a chilly morning, and luckily she had bought her warmest clothes. Sweeping the curtains back in her apartment, the view made her smile. Her company owned several flats in this building, ensuring that staff had a “home” to go to, rather than a bland hotel room.

Central Park was still evergreen, the city bustling below her encouraged her to get ready. She pulled out her mobile phone, and sent a text to Jaxon. Wishing he was here, seeing this view with her.

Padding around the apartment, she had about an hour before she was due in the office. Switching the TV on, she grabbed something to eat (the fridge and cupboards had been stocked for her arrival).

Her heart dipped as she watched the news feed, the Americans were all still talking about the star, and their utter determination to seek the truth. They had already funnelled tens of millions of dollars into their mission.

She switched the channel, settling on a music station. Getting ready didn’t take long. She settled for heavy black trousers, her sensible sized heels and a plum coloured twin set that hugged her curves. Power suits weren’t her thing.

Fighting a prickling tiredness lingering from the flight, she packed her work bag, including some files that had been couriered over to her, she was ready. Slipping the phone into her handbag, she picked up her coat and headed out.

Today would involve a morning meeting, followed by a lunch gathering with her colleagues (and receiving a lovely text from Jaxon), then a short break, then another meeting that would last well into the early evening.

By the time she got to the apartment, she was exhausted, but the feeling of exhilaration was coursing through her. She had stepped back into her old job, her old life with minimal effort.

She dialled Jaxon after working out the time difference. He picked up on the third ring.

She told him about her day, her love for New York, and how much she was missing him. It had been a tough decision to leave him, but if she was to embrace this new life, then she had to act normal.

“So, when do you think you might be coming home?” He said.
“Possibly in about 4 or 5 days,” Cassidy tugged off her shoes.
“Too long!” He grumbled playfully.
She laughed,
“I’ll bring you back something nice,”
“Please don’t go shopping, we’ve still not recovered after your last trip!”
She smiled.
“I wish you were here,” She missed him terribly, and was fearful that the star might try and take him away again.
“Me too. Good night sweetie, I’ll see you soon,”

They hung up, and feeling tired, but happy, Cassidy fell into bed. Needing her sleep for another busy day.

It was 2 days later at 3am when a persistent knocking at the apartment door woke her. It wasn’t unusual for her company to send out files and work from the UK, maybe the courier was here again. Switching small lamps on as she went to the door, she opened it.

The star stood before her.

“Can I come in?”
His voice was calm, sincere, and put her on edge. And unwilling to make a scene at her door, she let him in.

Cassidy followed him back into the apartment. He stood at the floor to ceiling windows. Staring out.

“How the hell did you find me?” She said, reaching for her gown that she had left on the sofa. Throwing it on, she tied the belt tight.

He turned round, and smirked.
“God,” Cassidy ran shaky hands through her sleep tangled hair.

“How does it feel to be back?” He said, returning his gaze to the window. The city was glistening with lights, and still busy, “It fits doesn’t it?”

Her breath caught. Was he here to take Jaxon away again?

“Do you remember I asked you if you wanted to play?”
She nodded, but he never turned round.
“And that was your answer, yes?”

He turned, and came towards her, the gap between them closing fast.

“Lets go get something to eat,” He said suddenly.
Cassidy stepped back from him.
“I want to see this city, you must know of place where we can go and talk?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!”

That smile crept across his lips,
“Oh yes you are, now go get changed,”

Twenty minutes later, they were sitting a small semi deserted diner a few blocks from her apartment. She sipped a weak tea, the star had chosen the same.

His fingers curled around the cup, and Cassidy realised he was nervous. And despite herself she found herself asking,

“What’s wrong?”
He smiled, then quietly said,
“You humans… You can spot emotions a mile off can’t you?”
“Some are better than others at doing it, namely women,”
He smiled, nodding his head, those cold blues eyes warming.
“Who are you?” She said.

His gaze stayed down, watching the lazy swirls of heat coming from the tea. And silence settled between them. He didn’t want to answer that just yet.

He took a sip from his tea. And seemed to enjoy it.
“Do you… Stars… Eat and drink?”
“I guess we do,” And he took another sip, “Are you enjoying your old life?”
She took a steadying breath,
“You are aren’t you? I’m glad that I could make you happy,”
“Having Jaxon back...” Her emotion caught her off guard, and she fought tears, “I guess I should say thank you,” And without realising it she let her guard down.

“Where’s home?” Cassidy continued.
Another sip,
“Further than you could ever imagine,”
“Are you an angel?” She drank her own tea, realising that her insides were shaking at the questions she was asking, and the answers she was receiving.

He shook his head.
“Nothing like that, nothing good like that,”
She gulped.
“Are you…?”
“The devil?” He laughed, flashing perfect white teeth. Suddenly he was very human, and suddenly handsome, “No, I’m not, but I am something,” Locking his gaze with hers, “You know exactly what I am,”

Cassidy realised that she needed sugar to cope with the shock that was hitting her. Her hands reached for the tumbler, but the star beat her to it.
“Let me,”

She stirred the tea,
“Why am I so important?”
“You’ll find out later,”
A lump gathered in her throat.
“Does this have something to do with my past?”
And he smiled that perfect smile.
“Clever girl,”
She swallowed nervously,
“And Jaxon needed to come back didn’t he?”

* * *

The star walked her back to the apartment, and exiting the lift in silence, they found themselves at her front door.
“I always knew,” Cassidy said, “I always knew that there would be a time for atonement,” She exhaled sharply, “But I never imagined this,”

The star touched the side of her face,
“Don’t be scared,” He whispered, “All this terror that you feel... Learn from it,” He focussed his gaze on hers, “I need something from you and the time is coming,”

She found that she couldn’t tear herself away. She had accepted the star and all that it was going to show her. And all that she had to give in return.

Her hand reached for the star’s hand.
“I’m ready for whatever I have to face,”

And they shared a moment that Cassidy knew was changing her life even more.

Taking a steadying breath, she suddenly realised that they weren’t alone.

“Oh God...” Cassidy put a distance between herself and the star as she realised who was here. Jaxon.

Wide eyed at his presence she saw that he was holding a large bunch of flowers.

“Jaxon... What are you doing here?!”

And the look of hurt and anguish on her husband’s face was more than she could bear as he jumped to all the wrong conclusions.

But the cogs were turning for Jaxon.
“You were at our house...” The flowers were lowered, “You’d broken down...”
“Jaxon, please... This isn’t...”
“Don’t you dare...” Jaxon’s voice was an eerie calm, “I flew all this way to be with you...” He choked up.

“Jaxon,” Said the star, “Calm down,”

Cassidy whipped her gaze to the star’s.
“Shut up!” She yelled, not caring anymore about where she was.

Jaxon turned on his heel,
“Please wait!” Cassidy’s tears were running down her face as she looked to the star.
“Jaxon, I need to tell you something...”
“I think you already have,” He said over his shoulder.

Jaxon barged into the stairwell.

Cassidy turned her gaze to the star.
“This just can't be happening...” She managed shakily.
And he smiled.
“Learn from this,”

Cassidy tore herself away and ran as fast as she could after her husband.

---------------------------------------------------------

COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

Another panic was rising in her throat. Screams threatened to erupt from her throat as the horror and sense of invasion ripped through her all over again. She had been fighting it for so long now and every now and again the terror came back. All the unanswered questions slamming through her system.

Washing her face, she splashed as much cold water as she could bear. Staring at her reflection, she saw a familiar gaze - her eyes were back to their normal colour. She shivered. Feeling violated and dirty at the thought that she had shared her body with something... Something that just didn’t make sense. But where had it gone, it had been over a week... And nothing.

Gathering her clothes, she left the room and got changed in the spare bedroom, she didn’t want to worry Jaxon about her need to flee the house at such a time. Kissing a still sleeping Jaxon, she left 10 minutes later, handbag slung over her shoulder.

Coming to a halt as she dug for car keys, she spied Jaxon’s car in the dimness. The one that they had had the accident in... Her heart vaulted. Not a single scratch, dent or mark to signify the nature of that night.

She found the keys... And striding with confidence she got into Jaxon’s car. The engine turned. That familiar noise of the powerful car warming up made her uneasy.
Shunning fears and pain, she gunned the engine and tore out of the driveway. It was time to be strong.

Twenty minutes later, in the still dark of night, Cassidy found herself at her bolt hole. The local 24 hour supermarket. Loud stomach rumbles had put a stop to any further travels.

So benignly, Cassidy trawled the near empty aisles. The trolley a support, but she wasn’t even in the mood for shopping, instead her mind churned over the events of the past week.

There had been no contact from the star, mentally or physically. Needless to say, seeing him real, in front of her very eyes... It made her wobbly all over again.

She had tried to talk to Jaxon about what she was going through, but the words were jumbled and tumbled awkwardly out of her mouth. So she had shut up, covered her sad features with a bright smile and got on with her “new” life.

But the internal agony she was feeling from losing Joel was tough. She had made further inquiries, calling his place of work, speaking to his parents... But it all came back the same. Joel was dead. And had been for a long time... She didn’t even have a grave to visit and pay her respects. His parents had opted for cremation.

Heavy shivers caused her to tighten her grip of the trolley and concentrate on getting some shopping done. She didn’t even know what she needed... She hadn’t even bothered making a list. Jaxon had been doing everything whilst she had been sick, but she decided to go with the essentials.

Feeling still and calm for the moment, Cassidy continued to wander. Grabbing some milk, eggs, she had enough to cook a nice breakfast for him. It was the least she could do. He was due to go back to work soon, and she needed to prove that she could stand on her own two feet. What about her... Did she have a job in this life... What was her purpose?

Maybe this episode with the star was over, they had collided but now, maybe, they were on their separate ways. Their cosmic collision a gift rather than a curse?

That thought made her smile, and suddenly she let her guard down just a little bit. Maybe this was the life she was destined for. Maybe she had been given a chance that no other person got. And she had to take it. Because life without Jaxon wasn’t something she wanted to do again.

She stopped at the newspapers – the headlines were still littered with the event. Almost detached, she walked past them. The world’s governments still ever determined to fine the invader. Let them get on with it she thought... She wasn’t about to tell everyone what happened to her. And that included Jaxon. But why her? What was so special about her?

She paid for her goods and headed back to the car, purchases in one bag. The fresh air that only came with the promise of a new day made her smile. Birds twittered, just one or two in the distance.

As she neared her car, she realised that someone was leaning against the bonnet.

“Excuse me,” She said without thinking, “That’s my car, and I don’t appreciate the close proximity of your arse on it,”

The stranger laughed, but didn’t turn to look at her. She broke into a cold sweat. She was all alone in a dim car park with what looked like a drunken or drugged out fool. She should have just gone back inside, rather than instigate a challenge.

The figure stood, and faced her. The next thing Cassidy knew was that she was dropping her shopping at her feet and running in the opposite direction from him.

The star followed. His pace matching hers, and as she rounded the corner towards the back of the supermarket, his hand was on her shoulder.

Easily, he brought her to a halt, pinning her against the wall. Out of sight from the world. Safety. Her chest puffed with the effort of the run, his manner cool and calm. This was his time wasn’t it? Night – he had hours still to terrorise her, sunrise was far away.

There was a lazy smile on his lips, and his hands were anchored at her hips, his body pressed against hers. The stone wall dug into the back of her head, sparse lighting dulling his features.

“Let me go,” Cassidy whispered, “Now,”
The smile widened, he leaned in more, smelling her hair, his cheek brushing hers.

A yelp of terror escaped her lips.
“You’re not real,” She said, “This isn’t real,”

The star met her gaze. A cold blue and brutal stare. This was the first time Cassidy had seen him properly.

“Don’t be scared,” He said gently, “I don’t want to hurt you,”

Cassidy wriggled again, trying to get free.
He whispered, catching her teary gaze,
“I’ve given you a gift, but now its time for me to take it back,”

Words didn’t form, and his grip on her hips tightened.
Her watery gaze cleared,
“You have no right to terrorise me,” She pushed, and the star stumbled back.

A swift grip to her arm, pulled her back into the star’s possessive hold.
“I’ll be back when you’re ready to accept me and what I have to offer,”

The star pushed her backwards, hard. Tripping, Cassidy fell back, smacking her head on the ground. And she was out cold.

* * *

On waking, Cassidy was staring up at a night sky. Sitting up, she realised she was still at the supermarket. A headache swirling, she grabbed her handbag which had become lodged under her body.

Scrabbling up, she went to the car. What the fuck had just happened...? Rubbing the back of her head, luckily she had been uninjured.

Her shopping was still where she had left it, so grabbing it, she was about to open the boot when she heard an almighty metallic scraping.

It seemed to emanate from the car... Jaxon’s car.

Stepping back, she watched in abject horror as the metal began to buckle. It was as if an invisible giant fist was pounding it. The windows blew out, causing her seek a further distance. The roof came in next, large dents appearing...

“Oh god...”
The car began to take a horribly familiar guise.
“Jaxon...” Cassidy mumbled, “Oh god...”

And she turned and ran. Not looking back as the car tipped and turned onto it side, more glass breaking and then deathly quietness... Just like that night.

Having hailed a cab, Cassidy arrived home. Charging up the drive, she sobbed in terror.

House keys in her shaky hands, she tore open the front door.

The first thing that hit her was the smell of fresh flowers. Dropping her handbag, she ran through into the living room. The house dark, lonely and uncharacteristically still.

The truth began to bloom in her stomach... But she pushed it away firmly. No, this wasn’t happening... Not again.

Her hands flew to her mouth to stop her from screaming. Memories clicked and overlapped.

Dozens of sympathy cards filled her view, flowers in vases. All in memory of Jaxon.

She bolted upstairs.

An unmade bed, her clothes strewn across the room, curtains shut. She went to the wardrobes, Jaxon’s side was bare. Forcing herself to keep it together, she went to spare bedroom.

And Cassidy screamed. Jaxon’s belongings had been packed away in boxes. She had done this herself. 2 years ago.

She ran back down, staring at the living in sheer disbelief. But it was all too much.

Arms reached around her.

Turning round, she was confronted by the star. It held her close, almost in a lovers embrace. Her heart pounded against his as she sobbed.

“Oh please don’t do this...” Cassidy moaned, “I can’t... Not again... I can’t lose him again!”

Pulling away, the star's gaze held hers. She sobbed, sickness rising up her throat.
“Please...Where is he?”
“You’ve seen this before haven’t you Cassidy? This time, this ache... Just say yes, and it will all be over, I will return Jaxon to you...”
“Why me?!”

Fury ripped through her, and she pulled away from the star. Anger tearing through her, gathering in her fist. She lashed out, the punch landing squarely across his cheek. Without flinching he carried on.
“Do you want to play?” He said.

Cassidy looked around, the anger, loneliness and fear hitting her all over again.

Breathlessly, she looked at the star, focusing on those eyes that once had been hers.
“Yes,” She said.

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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

Surrounded by familiar furniture, fabrics, possessions, in a house that she knew she had sold over 2 years ago, Cassidy sat. Curled up on her favourite chair in the living room, yet her hands over her ears. It had been talking to her throughout the night. Not pausing for breath, it spoke.

It told her stories about its arrival to Earth, its connection to her. It continued even when she had begged it to stop. But it carried on, leading, charging forwards with its tale, now it talked about Jaxon.

Jaxon had died, she thought, he had died. 2 years ago. She had organised his funeral, chosen the songs, even his outfit. Along with his devastated family, she had stood by the graveside, until earth covered the coffin. 2 years ago.

She had been injured terribly in the accident, and her recovery long. Broken bones, bruised and mentally effaced, Cassidy had endured months of therapy. But losing Jaxon had hurt more.

And here… She was sitting, in her house, with her husband. As if they had gone back in time. Something she knew wasn’t true. Copious checking of all the calendars she could find had told her that time hadn’t changed. She dare not question it, even if it was a dream, then she didn’t want it end. She was with him again.

But her heart pumped a warning. This wasn’t real. And it was responsible for it.

She got up, weary bones clicking with effort. She had been sitting there since midnight. It was now 3am. Jaxon was in bed, and with all the strength that she had in the body, she had left him sleeping.

Cassidy wrung her hands, exhausted and with no more tears to cry. She had endured hours of ramblings. She was perfectly sane, this thing inside her? Insane. And talking nonsense.

“Nonsense?” Said the voice, “I am the star, nonsense isn’t something that I’m familiar with,”

Stifling a sob, she wandered through to the kitchen, getting a glass of water. Drawn and oh so tired, she sat on the bar stool, the star still twittering away inside of her.

“I brought Jaxon home to you,”
She gripped the glass tight.
“I brought him home,” The star said, “For you,”
Cassidy forced herself to reply, feeling the star’s agitation,
“How can someone come back from the dead?”
Irrepressible butterflies in her stomach told her that the star was smiling.
“What makes you think he was dead?”

At that point, Cassidy put the glass down and ran all the way upstairs. Jumping into bed, she snuggled as close to Jaxon as she could. Pulling the covers over her head, she sang. And she sang to herself until the star’s voice disappeared.

* * *

Jaxon had taken some time off work to care for her, so together they sat eating breakfast in their sunny kitchen.

Staring off out the window, Cassidy gazed at some far off point. The star hadn’t spoken to her since dawn. It had informed her that it would only speak to her during the hours of night. Some respite she thought. She rubbed her temples, her insides throbbing. When the star got angry at her, her innards would beat at the sound of its voice.

“Honey?” Jaxon touched her hand, “More tea?”
She shook her head no, watching as he stood up and went to make another cup.

Unable to help herself, she followed him, and curled her arms around him as she stood. Closing her eyes, she just breathed him in.

He laughed gently,
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I am now,” And smiling a real smile, she parted from him and sat back down. The doorbell was ringing, so Jaxon went to answer it.

On his return, he was carrying a large bouquet of flowers.
“It’s for you,” He said, handing her the small envelope that was tacked onto the clear wrapping.

Opening it as Jaxon placed the flowers on the table, Cassidy felt suddenly warm and happy. And even more so when she read the card.
“Who are they from?” Jaxon said, “And note to self, get wife flowers!”
Cassidy laughed,
“They are from Joel, wishing me a speedy recovery,”
Jaxon’s smiled faded.
“What?”
“They are from Joel,” She said, mentally recalling that the last time she spoke to him had been at the hospital. He had told her all about the star, the landing, and the world going mad to find it. Suddenly she was worried… Would people be looking for her…?

The card was snatched from her hand, making her jump.
“Jaxon?”
“What is this…?” He stared at the card, then the flowers, “This is a sick joke!”
“It’s just Joel being thoughtful!”

Jaxon looked at her as if she was mad. And the stare caused her to break out into a cold sweat.
“Have you… Are you…” Jaxon managed.
He put the card down,
“Joel’s been dead 2 years, this is someone’s idea of a sick joke,”

* * *

As Jaxon called the florist, Cassidy used her mobile to call Joel. This was wrong. Joel wasn’t dead!

She had scrolled through her entire mobile phone directory… There wasn’t an entry listed for Joel. Forcing herself not panic, she went to her call directory. He had been her last call, that night. When the star had arrived on Earth.

Stopping dead in her tracks, she realised that there was no trace of Joel on her mobile phone.

Stunned, she sat, thinking, and for once, very very clearly.

Fingers moved through the commands of the phone. And she came across the number for Joel’s parents.

After an awkward conversation, where she was asked several times if she was okay… She learned from his father that Joel had indeed died 2 years ago.

The phone was flipped shut, and dropped to the coffee table. An urgent cramping of her stomach alerted her that she was feeling very sick. Utter grief pouring through her.

Jaxon came through from the hall.
“The florist couldn’t tell me anything,” The phone landed on the couch, Jaxon following it down with a heavy sigh.

Cassidy absorbed the situation as Jaxon chattered on about how cruel some people can be, especially since the trauma that she had just suffered.

Things clicked for her… What trauma? As far as she could remember, she had fallen into a coma on the night of the star’s landing. Luckily Jaxon was filling in the blanks automatically for her.

“You seemed to think that Joel was still here…” He smiled sadly, “I think you might have bumped your head harder than first thought…” He played with her hair gently. Cassidy urged him mentally to carry on, she had to know the truth.
“I’m getting those stairs carpeted as soon as possible honey,”

* * *

Sunset came and went, and the dread bloomed automatically for Cassidy. The star would start talking to her again. Watching as Jaxon prepared dinner for them, she tried hard to accept her situation. As awful as it was to say and how angry she was made to feel, Jaxon was here, but Joel wasn’t. She was happy, and devastated at the same time.

The doorbell rang, and walking through the hall, flipping lamps on, Cassidy answered the door.

A man, unfamiliar to her stood.
“Hi, my car has broken down, can I use your phone?” An apologetic smile on his lips.
Modern world savvy, Jaxon came up behind her,
“Don’t you have a mobile?” He said.
The man fished it out of his pocket,
“It died, the battery quit on me 10 minutes ago,”
Eyeing him up, Jaxon placed a protective hand on Cassidy’s waist.
“Give me the number of your breakdown people,” Jaxon said, stepping in front.

Jaxon was smart and Cassidy was secretly impressed at his non common sense of sense. Oh how she had missed him!

“It’s in the mobile and I don’t know it off by heart, so I was going to call my wife,”
“Friend,” Jaxon said, “I’m afraid I can’t let strangers into my house, but I can direct you to that pub two minutes down the road,”
The man turned back to look,
“I should have gone there first,” He said, smiling, “Thanks,”

Cassidy watched closely as the strangers gaze connected with hers.
“Hello Cassidy,”
His lips hadn’t moved.

Butterflies in her stomach. Familiar and real.

Cassidy slammed the door shut,
“Whoa,” Jaxon said, “What was that all about?”
“Sorry, didn’t mean to slam it…” She managed.

Jaxon shrugged and headed back to the kitchen, the cooking smells turning her stomach.

Gathering courage, she went to the hall window, watching the stranger leaving. The lights of the drive highlighting his tall stature and stride.

And right on cue, the stranger turned back to face her, and on his face, that familiar smile that she had felt from the star.
“I am the star,” He said, directly into her head, “And I’m so looking forward to seeing you again,”

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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

Jaxon manoeuvred the car into the driveway after a long day at work. The house lights blazed. She was home. He spotted his wife moving around the kitchen, the large bay windows bleeding light onto the driveway.

Entering the house, he dumped his coat and keys on the table and spied various packed bags at the bottom of the stairs. This wasn’t good…

“Honey?” His gaze was glued to the cases, then to Cassidy as she walked through from the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” He gestured at them, but she just smiled, “It’s only a weekend, why pack all that stuff?”

“This one is in case it rains,” She pointed out to various designer embossed bags, “This one is in case it’s sunny, that one is for lounging about the hotel…”
“Cass…” Jaxon smiled despite himself, “We don’t need clothes, not for the weekend that I’ve got in mind,”

She smiled that smile that made him melt as she grinned at his candidness. Kissing him on the cheek, she headed back through to the kitchen.

* * *

With all the bags packed into the small boot, they set off on their journey. It had become a rather misty and rainy Friday night, but that didn’t matter. This was their weekend.

High beams cut through the night, wipers moving the drizzle from the view as Cassidy drove Jaxon’s high performance sports car. They had left the motorway some 40 minutes ago and now she drove carefully along dark country roads.
“The hotel is in a village called Southgreens, we should be…” Jaxon checked the satellite navigation, “20 minutes away,”

Soft music played in the background, and he watched his wife as she tapped the wheel in time with the beat.

He had missed her this week. She had been working in New York on an important deal for her company, only returning on Wednesday evening. Vice president of her division, she kicked arse when it came to closing deals. She had come home with stories about the city, her colleagues and how much he would have liked the city. He wasn’t looking forward to the credit card bill as she had come home with an extra suitcase filled with designer “souvenirs”. How she had time to shop, he would never know.

He smiled as he turned his gaze to the window. Fields whipped by, the bare trees, the moonlit sky. Inky blue was the colour that he was seeing, but not a single star in the sky, just the full moon was all he could see. He realised that there was nothing better than being here, with her.

He heard Cassidy scream, and he whipped his gaze back to the road.

The deer came hurtling out of the dense bushes, yards in front of the car. Creating an arc with its body, its front hooves hit the road as Cassidy hit the brakes. Headlights picked out sheer muscle, flexing and reacting on the beast.

But it was too late. The deer slammed into the bonnet, then sweeping up, it crashed into the windscreen. The blast of the windscreen as it shattered caused Cassidy to instinctively raise her hands to shield her face. And the wheel was free, the car losing control instantly. The last thing Cassidy remembered was yelling for Jaxon as the car tipped and turned.

* * *

Cassidy was sure that there was gravel digging into the back of her head. Little stones that caused little digs and cuts. When she finally had the strength to open her heavy eyes, she realised that she was staring up at night sky.

“That doesn’t make sense,” She thought.

Sitting up, carefully, she realised that there was blood and even more gravel in her mouth. What had happened? She was on a road… Lying down? It was dark, and cold… It really wasn’t making sense. Her body rumbled, telling her that various points in her body were aching. And aching bad.

She spat the blood, but what she saw wasn’t stones in the palm of her hand, but fragments of her own teeth.

Whimpering in fear and shock, memories kicked in, and she realised that she had been travelling with Jaxon. In the car. The deer! They had hit a deer!

Cassidy wiped the stain hurriedly against her clothes, and began patting the roadside. Searching for something, anything.

Her fingers stumbled across something cold. Lifting it close to her blurred vision, she saw that it was the emblem from the front of Jaxon’s car.

“JAXON!” Cassidy’s voice was torn, and her throat bucked in pain. She spat more blood, more teeth.

Up and onto shaky legs, Cassidy stumbled forwards. The dark tripping her back to the ground. She spied the debris… A tyre. Their packed bags.

“Jaxon!”

She felt on her person for her mobile… But it wasn’t in her pocket. She mentally figured back, she had been driving, she had been wearing her seatbelt… Yet she had managed to end up on the road? It didn’t make sense!

Wiping the fraught tears from her eyes, she got up again, searching the dense foliage, carefully moving around glass and metal that was once part of their car, moonlight guiding her way.

The pain centred suddenly on her forehead and she touched it carefully. The agony hit her hard. A deep cut let her fingers travel into her flesh.

Dropping to her knees, she took deep breaths to calm down, but it only led to vomiting until she was breathless. Coughing and spluttering, she found the strength and got up. She had to find Jaxon.

Breaking into a faltering run, she spied their car around the bend. Upturned and practically crushed, she went to what she believed to be the passenger side.

She dropped to the shattered window. Luckily the car was outfitted with roll bars, and she could just about see inside…

Her breath was whipped from her dry throat as she realised that Jaxon wasn’t there.

The adrenalin left her body, dropping her into a chill that made her knees go weak.
“Jaxon…” She called, sinking against the car, “Where are you…?” She slipped down, to the ground, suddenly feeling incredibly hot.

She stared up at the sky, her back melting onto the road. Blinking the blood away, a star shined, she realised, bright and strong. In her pain induced delirium she realised that she had been in a serious accident, and that something deep in her body was broken. But Jaxon was safe. He had got out, and gone for help… That’s what must have happened. He was okay. And he would come and find her.

* * *

When Cassidy opened her eyes, she was still on the road. Laying on her back, concerned voices around her. Lights flashed. She realised dizzily that it must be the emergency services…

She tried to speak, but an oxygen mask had been placed over her nose and mouth.
“Jaxon…” She managed. And a face filled her line of sight. It wasn’t her husband.

“Stay still,” The male voice was soothing, but Cassidy was getting agitated.
“My husband…”
The paramedic glanced to his colleague… Cassidy tried to follow the gaze, but realised that her neck had been anchored in a brace.
“Where is he?”
“They are trying to get him out of the car,”
Cassidy’s heart thumped,
“He wasn’t there…” She whispered as the mask was lifted, “I checked…”
“They are working right now to free him,”
“No…” She mumbled, sharp fragments of broken teeth cutting into her tongue. The mask was replaced.

Cassidy sobbed. She hadn’t seen him! He wasn’t in there! She listened to the harsh metal on metal sounds, urgent shouts as their car was cut open to get Jaxon out.

Cassidy stared up at the sky, peppered with stars. Some shone brightly, others further in the heavens betraying almost no light.

“He’s got to be okay…” She said, fixing her gaze to one star. “He’s okay,”

The shouts became even more urgent, and the paramedic left her view. She realised that she had been placed onto the stretcher and there was no way that she could get up.

The machinery stopped. And she listened. An angry pain was beginning to form in the base of her spine, igniting her nerves as it crept through her. The paramedic came back to her. He didn’t have to say anything. His eyes said everything. Jaxon was dead.

Frozen in agony, Cassidy accepted the pain that was causing her body to fit and buck on the stretcher. Shouts from her carer to his colleagues filled her ears. Her gaze darkening, she concentrated on the only thing she could see. One star, in all of heaven.

* * *

From the safety of the woods, some distance from the scene, the deer stepped out, shaking off the buzzing zipping through its bones. Ouch. That had hurt, it thought. Watching as the woman was lifted into an ambulace, it thumped its hooves on the road. A success, it had been a success.

Rearing up, it connected its gaze with the star.

“Good,” Said the star to the deer, “Good,”

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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

She had been locked in nightmares as she had lain. Distorted images of the heavens, the stars, the moons, the planets, ugly voices that meant harm whispering in her head. It had been burying thoughts, and she would uncover those at some future date, some future time. Of that, she was certain.

She groaned with the grogginess of it all. It was dark outside, yet the curtains remained open. She had come to the decision that she didn’t like the night. Not anymore.

The world was practically hysterical at the idea that something had arrived on Earth. Some space object that had hurtled towards us, and now lay hidden among the population.

Governments from across the globe were hunting and searching for something that might have come through all the sophisticated technology that this world had amassed in a bid to protect itself… A coordinated effort by all, factions putting aside their differences, as they realised that they were all being threatened by something much bigger than their chosen enemy.

She shuddered. The door to her room was closed over, and suddenly she felt so far away from the world. She had been allocated her own room, the doctors unsure of what had caused her trauma chose to keep her segregated from others.

She swivelled out of bed. Joints aching, unlocking, after another long rest. Socked feet touched the floor and she shuffled towards the bathroom.

Locking herself in, she examined herself in mirror, the dim light of the room arching her features into sharp focus. She was thin, gaunt, so unlike herself that she actually hated it. What had happened to her?

She rubbed her eyes, feeling drained and tired all over again despite having napped for so long. But she had admitted to herself that she have been claimed by something other worldly. She was a normal, healthy person… And she knew that she was experiencing something. But what? A possession? The word just made her even more anxious.

Staring at herself in the mirror, Cassidy vowed that she would seek answers and soon. Recalling an earlier conversation with her doctor, she had been given a clean bill of health. She had had test after test to determine the cause of her coma, but nothing, no abnormalities… Nothing had been detected. So they had no reason to keep her. But something was there.

Joel had been the first to meet her bemused gaze upon waking. He had gently whispered the story to her. Reminding her that on the night of the event, he had arrived at her flat to find her collapsed by her front door. Unhurt, but so traumatised that her body had taken over and left her in a stasis that the doctors were unsure if she would ever come out of. But here she was. But she wasn’t alone. And to the core of her body, she knew it.

The brainy bods of the world had decided that something had impacted with Earth Joel had said... World space organisations had followed the path of something, then it had disappeared. It had taken mere hours.

She pushed her own tears away as her stomach suddenly gripped her nerves in a pinch. She blinked. Then again. Blue eyes wide in the dim light…

Cassidy had brown eyes.

She took a deep breath, filling her lungs. Twinges, she felt twinges, right the base of her spine.

She looked to the palm of her hands. As sure as she could be, she saw shimmers of silver darting through her veins.

She bit her lip. It was still there. This was real. And this was happening.

“Cassidy?”

She froze. Horrifically aware that the voice was coming from within.

“I am the star, and it’s about time you woke up,”

Cassidy reeled in her courage,
“I’m awake,” She whispered, “I’m awake,”
“Are you really?” The star said, a gentle lilting tone that betrayed nothing, “You’ve been sleeping all your life, waiting for this one moment where you can truly be you,”

Her heart raced as she looked directly into the eyes that she knew were not her own.

“Please leave me,” She whimpered.

She felt the star smile deep inside of her, and she lost it.

Falling in front of the toilet, she vomited the contents of her stomach. Retching over and over, she brought the tears back to her eyes with the power of the expulsions.

The star was laughing. And she was left sobbing.

“It’s time to wake up,”
“I am awake!” She rasped, flopping beside the pan, exhausted.
“Don’t you want to see him again? Don’t you want to wake up and see him?”

Cassidy’s vision sparkled as she realised that she was having trouble catching her breath.

The star chuckled, causing Cassidy’s stomach to heave again.

Leaning over the bowl again, she waited for the nausea to pass.
“Jaxon, your husband,”

Cassidy’s stomach lurched and she was sick again.

“I can show you Jaxon,”

Cassidy realised that it was now or never. To stand up to this ordeal.

Her breath getting stronger, she stood, gripping the sink for support. She turned the tap on, swirling cold water in her mouth. A cold stare locked to her features, she faced the mirror, sweat on her forehead. Blue eyes shining back.

“Jaxon is dead,” Cassidy said as calmly as she could, “He died 2 years ago,”

And repeating it like a mantra to herself, she left the room. Clinging to her the last shred of sanity that she had left.

Wiped out from the encounter, she reached her bed. Suddenly aware that she wasn’t alone, she turned to the figure dozing in a comfy chair in the corner of the room.

It moved, rousing from sleep. As she stood rooted to the spot, the figure got up, aware that she was awake.

“Honey, did you sleep okay?”

The star moved inside her, causing a warming sensation around her heart. She shuddered, catching her breath. Love, she was feeling love.

“Let’s get you back to bed, we want the doctor to release you tomorrow, so you need to rest,”

Cassidy gathered her thoughts as the side lamp was switched on, strong hands guiding her to the bed.

Familiar eyes held concern, features that she had memorised stared her back in her face. His smile moved her to tears.

“You can thank me later,” Said the star, “Now kiss your husband hello,”

And she did, stifling a sob, she held him tight after parting from a kiss that stole his breath.

Memories of the night she had lost him flooding through her, shocking her cold.

Gripping his hand tight, she looked down, having missed that touch so much. Her eyes caught sight of her wedding and engagement ring. Rings that she had locked away in a bid to banish the hurt and devastation…

Touching his face, his eyes tired and red, she realised that he was here, this was real. Jaxon had come back to her.

“Thank you,” Cassidy whispered.
Jaxon looked puzzled, but the star was smiling again.
“You’re welcome,” It said.

----------------------------------------------------

COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

Being called into work on a day she had marked for a holiday had set her off. She had already had a raging argument with her boss about his lack of management skills and then stomped from his office. She threw herself into another person’s work (someone who was so incompetent that they probably couldn’t find their own arse with both hands). She worked through their tasks, forgoing her own at home. For the seventh time in as many weeks.

She had fallen behind on every facet of her life. Work had taken over and she had real trouble separating herself from it.

But it was a new year, and new start. She wanted to put it all behind her and start again, meaning she had to look after herself. Work paid the bills – she remembered as she traversed into her own designated parking space.

Grabbing shopping bags from the boot, dinner items that she had picked up in her 20 minute lunch break, she set off towards her flat. But suddenly she didn’t even feel like cooking... What did she have in the freezer... There just might be leftovers somewhere in the drawers.

It was dark – seven PM on a January day would do that… But it felt different… It was almost pitch black. Then she realised, some of the street lights were out, others flickering on and off. Most of the flats in her block were dark too. Making a yet another mental note she would call the site manager tomorrow about it. Maybe there had been a power cut? She groaned. All the food in her freezer would be ruined! Juggling her bags, handbag, car and house keys, Cassidy made her way to her flat.

Losing her footing in the near dark, she tripped over the step, ending up face down on the cold and wet pavement. Cursing loudly, she hauled herself up and onto her knees, soon realising that she had bashed her chin hard and it was bleeding. That just capped off a really bad day and the tears fell. And she knew that tomorrow she was going to hand in her resignation and find something else. Work was making her cry more than the injury. She was just so so tired. She needed something new.

Scooping herself up, she patted around the ground feeling for her shopping, tins and boxes illuminated for a second by the faulty lights. She threw them back into her shopping bag angrily as her mobile beeped. She pulled it from her pocket, and read the text, wiping her tears, refocusing herself.

It was from her best friend. She read it. Then again. And then again. He must be joking with her. Knowing that she had had a really crappy day (she had made a quick phone call to Joel to bitch about her boss in her lunch break), this was his way of being funny. Yeah, this text must be a joke. That couldn’t be true... Then one after another, she got a text from her mother, father and sister. All the texts were of a similar tone.

Cassidy looked around, gentle prickles of fear in her belly that indicated that she needed to get indoors and put the news on. This couldn’t be true... These things happened in movies.

She speed dialled Joel, and he picked up on the first ring.
“Joel, what the hell is going on? Are you kidding around? It’s not funny, I’ve had a shit day,”
His sombre mood seemed to echo down the line,
“Cass, it’s all over the news,”
“Joel...” She fumbled in her pocket for a tissue, her chin was aching, the cool night air was skimming over the cut.
“Cass, the whole world is seeing this,”
“Seeing what?” She was starting to feel vulnerable just standing in a pile of shopping on the street.
“They’re saying that a star or some sort of space thingy is heading towards Earth,,” Joel’s usual animated voice was muted. Shocked into whispers he said, “This is bad Cass, I’m coming over, I don’t want you to be alone,”

Cass looked up instinctively. The heavens were dark. A few stars littered the sky. Nothing out of the ordinary. Joel must have made a mistake. Weren’t stars made of dead light? Light that took years to travel to Earth... That was about the extent of her knowledge. It couldn’t be that bad.
“Listen sweetie, come round, you can help me cook,”
“I’m not hungry,”
Cassidy straightened up. Joel... Not wanting food...?
“Joel, what is going on?
“I’m on my way Cass, just get indoors and don’t open the door till I get there,” The line went dead. Cass flipped her phone shut. She went to grab her bags, stooping down. Those chills had come back. She wiped her chin with the back of her hand – no tissue found. Tiny splinters of pain clawed their way through her. She groaned at the sheer mess of it all.

Her phone rang, scaring her out of her skin. Joel.
“Joel I’m going in now, don’t...”
“Cass! They say it’s crashing! It’s going to hit us!”

Suddenly there was an almighty brightening of the sky. It wasn't even gradual. One minute it was dark, the next night became day, the sky split and light poured. And it poured onto her. She just barely managed to stop herself from screaming.

Cassidy blinked against the light, feeling it burn the backs of her eyes, an almighty stinging that caused tears to form. And then it was over. It lasted mere seconds, but it left her breathless.

She put the phone back to her ear, but the line was dead.

It must have been a helicopter she thought. A searchlight… But she didn’t hear thing… The prickles of fear returned, stronger, more forceful. Something was going on. Sweat on her lower back forced her to quicken her steps up the path with her belongings, not caring that she could hardly see.

“Hello Cassidy,”
She froze. Her heart racing at the nearness of the voice. Her bladder threatened her and she felt six years old again. She turned round, expecting, wanting to see someone. But there was no one.
“Do not be afraid,”

She whirled around, but nothing! She scanned the area, looking out from her flat, streetlights, lights in the flats coming on suddenly.
“Hello Cassidy, I am the star and I am inside you,”
And then she realised that the voice was coming from inside her, inside her head. And that was the last thing she remembered before waking up in hospital 18 days later.

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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006

All it wanted in return was my soul.

Sounds like a bad trade doesn't it? But when it gave me a taste of my new life to come... It was as if being washed with water straight from heaven.

So the star said to me, "Do you want to play?"

And I said breathlessly, "Yes."