Eight Cups A Day - Tumblr Posts

Eight Memories a Minute

Follow up to Eight Cups a Day

He shouldn’t identify as “Forde,” for that was just the name of the host he had taken over, but it still felt nice to say. “Forde, Forde,” he muttered to himself as he walked around downtown. Though the alien received quite the unusual stares from various passersby, he remained concentrated on the sound of the name he had, for lack of a better term, stolen. Smiling, the alien said, “I am Forde.”

Only when he was about a block away from the general store did he remember what his assignment was. With the successful acquisition of the pool that he owned—his host owned—multiple hosts could be lured in and taken over at a time.

“A pool party,” Forde had suggested to Alan—or rather, his brother—earlier that day. “We can throw a small pool party with friends of mine—I-I mean Forde, my host,” he said. Alan had tilted his head in confusion before eventually agreeing to the idea. If anything went wrong and too much attention was drawn to them, the invasion would be a failure. It was easier to remain small while scoping out important and valuable hosts to take over.

Now, Forde was picking up snacks and drinks not simply to camouflage their intentions, but to feed the hosts that would be staying overnight to finish assimilating and continue planning the invasion. “Nolan, Michael, Seth, Casey, and Kyle,” Forde repeated to himself as he looked around. Just like with “Forde,” the names felt good to say on his lips; like he was savoring the sensation of speaking and the emotions that came from them.

Although Alan had said that most of his host’s memories were most likely gone after being taken over, Forde felt the exact opposite. One moment he would be looking at soda bottles, the next he would be deeply absorbed in a memory of winning his first kayaking race with Michael and Nolan. The soreness of his muscles, the light fluttering on his chest, and the cool sweat on his skin as they high-fived with their kayaks gave him goosebumps.

The cashier cleared her throat. “Excuse me, sir? I said your total is $56.42.” Forde snapped his head forward and nodded.

“I’m real sorry—I mean, my apologizes,” said Forde with a small bow. This time, he didn’t miss the way that the customers behind him stared. This human emotion, he figured, was embarrassment. Hopefully, he could avoid it with time. 

With the supplies stocked up, he drove home with a death grip on the wheel. The fear of a previous car accident in Forde’s life helped to keep complete focus on the road.

Alan’s possessor, clad in sandals and nothing else, was in the living room when Forde arrive. “Hello, brother,” he said, eyes focused on his host’s phone as Forde put away the groceries. “I see you have completed your mission. Good.” “With five new hosts by the night’s end, we’ll need all the food and water we can get our hands on. Without arising suspicion, of course.” Forde shivered at the sound of Alan’s deadpan voice. Only through rigorous effort could he express any emotion.

“And there is no point in doing that anymore,” the alien piloting Alan’s husk had said. Forde suppressed the shudder that went down his spine.

The small bits of personality that his host retained were most likely gone by now. At most, all Alan could do was simply smile and be polite. Aside from that, there was no emotion, no memories, and nothing left of the original. And Forde knew that his brother lacked any way to emote or even the motions themselves. Then why was he like this? Why did Forde’s memories continue to taunt and tug at his heart? Did he even have anything like that?

“Brother? You are being silent.”

“Huh? O-Oh! Sorry, Alan,” said Forde, looking away from Alan’s nude body. It was amazing what lacking shame would lead to. “I seem to be finding myself lost in thoughts, is all.”

“Lost? You are in your host’s house.”

“Ah, ahaha, that is not quite what I meant.” Before Forde could continue, there was a knock on the door. “Oh, hide! I’m clothed, so I’ll answer it.” Luckily, Alan’s possessor’s lack of emotions meant he was agreeable, for the most part.

Nolan was at the door. “Hey man, sorry for showing up early. Just wanted to pick up some stuff I left here from last time,” he said with an easy-going grin. At the sight of this young man, Forde felt his throat dry up and his pulse to surge. “S-Sure, of course, Nolan.”

“Great. Think I left it in your room.” Nolan stepped forward, and Forde eagerly stepped aside to let him through. The two marched upstairs, a rush of emotions flooding Forde as he stared at Nolan’s back. “You’re such a cool dude, Forde. ‘ppreciate ya letting me stay the night after that fight I had with my folks. And the time before that as well.” He let out a sheepish but blissful laugh. It was a side of him that only Forde had seen, and he would greedily hog it as long as he could.

When he realized that Nolan was waiting for a response, Forde let out a cough, only able to eek out an, “Of course, man.” Satisfied, Nolan continued up the stairs, and Forde continued closely watching him. What were these sensations? His chest would not stop vibrating and his crotch was so active. If Forde didn’t know any better he would’ve thought he was having a heat stroke.

Another memory flew by; this time of a camping trip. Gathering around a campfire, staring up at the stars, and chatting the night away while the rest of their friends quietly snored until the two were lulled to a gentle sleep were all the things that Forde recalled of Nolan. That was the night that he gained something beyond any value.

My very first love, Forde thought, biting his lower lip to prevent a sob. These emotions that the real Forde had quietly distanced himself from all burst forth at the invasion of an alien that shouldn’t have been able to comprehend. Now, they threatened to overwhelm the Forde that planned to take over his friends. The camping trip, the memories he had made with all of his friends, everything tore through his chest like a hurricane.

Why am I doing this? Forde thought.

It hurt like hell, but it also pushed him to act.

Right before they arrived at his room, Forde spoke up. “N-Nolan, there’s something important I have to tell you.” Though he very much wanted those words to be I loved you, he knew he had to warn his friends. The invasion would end this very minute.

Nolan spun on his heel, and that was all Alan needed. Emerging from the room, still wearing nothing, he threw himself onto Nolan’s back and slipped something rubbery and blue into his mouth.

No…

There was little that could be done. These creatures were famed for their efficiency. After the conversion, would there be anything left of Nolan?

Would Forde be able to chat with him under the stars like those old, nostalgic days?

“Ah! Aw fuck!” Nolan said as he pulled his shorts and underwear down. He was completely exposed, and the heat returned to Forde’s crotch. “Wh-What was that? Why am I so fucking horny…?!” said Nolan as his body began to convulse.

“Nice acquisition, brother,” said Alan as he stepped over the writhing Nolan. “I’ll leave this to you. The preparations of the pool shall be my responsibility.”

Forde didn’t answer. He just looked down at Nolan who was eagerly spreading his legs and fondling himself as his skin glistened with sweat. With every second that passed, each stroke, Forde found it harder and harder to resist. Eventually, throwing his shame and disgust to the wind, he stripped down and fulfilled his desire.

“Aw, aw fuck, you got a big-ass cock, Forde,” Nolan moaned as he eagerly moved his hips with each thrust. “F-FUCK! Fuck me good, fuck me tight! Just fuck me until I can’t move anymore.” He writhed on the floor, eyes rolling into the back of his head as Forde slammed into him and the slime slithered into his brain. The sensations grew to be too much, and his core tightened as he screamed, “G-God, I’m—NNG—I’M FUCKING CUMMING!” Rubbing his chest with one arm and jacking off with the other, Nolan shot several ropes of cum all over himself as the convulsions grew in intensity. He could no longer speak, and Forde knew that soon he would no longer think.

“I’m sorry…”

However, he held onto the hope that Nolan would end up like him. We can stop this together, he thought. It’s not over yet.

Forde sat next to Nolan’s convulsing body and prepared to wait. Praying was a laughable thing to a creature such as him, but he did so anyway. In the middle of his prayer, he reached down and gently intertwined his fingers with Nolan’s. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Eight Pleas on a Starry Night

Eight Cups a Day

Eight Memories a Minute

All that this creature knew from the moment of its "birth," was to consume. The moment it first began to understand "itself" and "the world," it absorbed whatever was in front of it. Just as babes from the womb yearn for their mother's womb, these slimes feast upon segments of their host's brains. There was no thought and no malice behind; instead, it was pure instinct. Consume and assimilate as much as the host's brain would allow until complete takeover.

The moment this creature, now male due to his host, opened his eyes, he saw the sight of another looking at him with emotion the creature couldn't quite understand just yet. However, through pure instinct and the slight connection they shared as a species, he knew that this was his brother. “Ah, hello,” he greeted with pure innocence.

“H-Hey,” his brother responded, sounding not unlike the people the creature saw in his host’s memories. How skillful was he at hiding amongst these humans? “D-Do you know who I am? Do you know who you are? What’s your name?” Now, he spoke aggressively, but alongside another set of emotions.

Not wanting to disappoint his brother, the creature said, “I do not recall,” with complete assurance. “I seem to be quite adept at assimilating my host’s memories, unfortunately. It looks as though I cannot be a unit that can infiltrate any of these people.”

His brother shut his eyes, as though he had swallowed something harsh, before saying, “You are Nolan. Your name is Nolan.”

“Nolan. Understood.”

“And I’m F-Forde. My name is Forde.” Forde took a deep breath, his hand brushing up against Nolan’s. Then, he intertwined their fingers together. “Do you really not remember me? When we looked at the stars together?"

Nolan shook his head. “Am I supposed to? I am sorry if I am not up to your standards, brother.” Squeezing Forde’s hand—was it his host’s natural response?—Nolan said, “I will do better in the future. Do not worry.”

Forde nodded as he drew his hand back to his chest. There was an emotion on Forde’s face that Nolan did not recognize, so he ignored it.

The creature inside of Alan stared up at the summer night. He had a fleeting thought of the few stars that shined despite the town's light pollution and wondered if that was where he and his kin came from. However, he quickly dismissed that line of thought. It was not important for their invasion, so it was unnecessary. He was reeling from these useless thoughts that continued to plague him ever since the day he emerged from the sea.

Most of his brothers had perished when he had managed to infect Forde. He could only convert one person and implant his sole offspring before his brothers, unable to speak to him and cry for help, dried up. All he could do now was ignore any sort of sentimentalism that burdened him and press on forward.

“I am an invader,” the invader said to himself, floating naked on the surface of the pool. “Then, why do I have these regrets?”

Regret was a sentiment that his host, Alan, was familiar with. Words left unsaid, arguments he couldn't take back, and a life that was snuffed due to a misunderstanding. The list was long but also faded. By now, the invader had engulfed most of Alan's memories, so there was very little he could recall with any clarity. All he could see was a series of faded images.

It mattered little, the invader decided. The lingering feelings didn’t matter. All that was important was to breed and infect. That was the final purpose they had.

“Alan, there’s someone at the door.”

Ah, that was unexpected. Alan swam to the edge of the pool and pulled himself out. “Do you know who it is, brother?”

He nodded. “It’s your friend—or rather, it’s your host’s friend,” said Forde. “He texted you, and I responded, and one thing left to another...” he said, nonchalantly while pointing his thumb to the front of the house. “And now he’s here. You gonna…?”

“I’ll have to infect him,” said the invader as he dried himself off. “There’s nothing else that can be done.”

“Right, well Nolan is by the door if you need any assistance.”

The invader raised an eyebrow. “Will you not help me?”

“I'm sorta tired if we're being honest. Maybe some other time?" Forde said with a shrug and a grin.

The invader narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything in response. He walked past Forde, but stopped right before crossing the doorway. “You are my offspring, and yet you are so different from your brother and myself. Why is that?” There was far too much personality, whether from the host or from the possessor itself. It was odd.

Forde’s gaze grew distant. “I wonder why myself,” he muttered. “But never mind that. Your friend’s in the front, and Nolan’s in position to help you infect him.”

“And your family? The ones who own this home?”

“Won’t be back until Monday. We’ve got plenty of time.”

The invader had suspicions rise, but he pushed them to the back of his mind. There were more pressing matters to attend to. “Please, watch over your siblings.” The invader didn’t wait for a response. He processed the information carefully and he dried off and dressed.

“Alan, hey!” Forde was right. A friend of Alan, a great deal younger—about middle-aged—stood in front of the doorway. The invader could not access much of Alan's memories, so the man was a stranger to him. However, he was knowledgeable enough to recognize the glint in the man's eyes.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Came as soon as I could,” the man said, smiling brightly as he spoke to Alan. “Said you needed my help? Say, what’s this place anyway? How come you’re here?” With narrowed eyes, the man leaned in and whispered, “Ain’t that kid a li’l too young for you? Seems kinda weird if you ask me.”

Alan shook his head. “He’s a family friend. Said he needed help moving a couch. Could you help me?”

The suspicion in the man’s eyes cleared, and he eagerly nodded. “Sure! I’ll give you hand. Lead the way.”

[LINE BREAK]

Forde was panting by the time he entered the house again. What he walked into didn’t surprise him, but he still had to fight the urge to gag.

“Hello, nngg, Forde!” Nolan greeted him as he fucked Alan’s convulsing friend. “This one has almost finished his conversion. Would you like to assist me?"

“I think I’ll pass,” Forde said, grimacing. His eyes lingered on the man before turning over to the sleeping Alan on the couch. “Alan’s asleep?”

“Yes, mmm. He-fuck—s-said creating so many offspring has left him exhausted. Will probably sleep until the party tomorrow.”

The party…

Forde took a deep breath, trying to calm his breathing. “Nolan, when you’re… finished, meet me in my room, all right?”

“Which—“

“The one closest to the bathroom. You can’t miss it.”

“Right."

Forde lied back on his bed, attempting to erase the image of Nolan happily plowing another man’s ass out of his head. There was no doubt that what he had seen was the truth, but it carried such wrongness to it that he couldn’t help to wind back to it. Nothing about Nolan seemed to have remained. The chipper friendliness and eagerness to please was something that would have disgusted Nolan and now it disgusted Forde. Not even the memories were there. At most, the one possessing Nolan could remember some family members, last name, and his street address.

Everything else, including that night under the stars, was gone.

“Is this my punishment?” asked Forde, unsure if God would answer the pleas of a parasite. “Is this what I deserve for killing Forde?" That sin would remain with him for the rest of his life. It didn't matter if he believed he was Forde and inherited the name, the body, and the memories, the original was gone. If Forde ever left this body, it would remain a hollow husk. The organs would function, but there would be no brain activity. It would be no different than a vegetable.

Yet, Forde could not deny his greedy nature—as a parasite and a man. I still want to be happy, he thought. God, Alan, and the world itself can shame and hate me for it, but I still want to live a happy life. He knew how shameless that desire was, but did not care. The pain and pleasure that he has known in his short time as a human only stroked the hungry flames that burned in his heart.

The door opened, and Nolan walked in, still naked. “I am here, brother,” he announced, as though it wasn’t obvious.

Forde drew the sheets back and scooted to the side of the bed. “Close the door, and lie with me.”

“Hmm? Will we be sleeping on the same bed?”

“Yeah. Keep me company for tonight, will ya?”

“I see no reason to decline.” Without any shame, Nolan lied right next Forde. Their bare shoulders were touching, but only one of them understood the implications,

“Nolan, do you remember what happened when we went camping that night?”

“I do not.”

“Yeah, I figured,” said Forde, preparing himself. His hand was trembling, and he was sweating all over. Why couldn’t he calm himself? “Could you… Could you do me a favor, br-brother…?” When Nolan said yes, Forde nearly sobbed. After a deep, uneven breath, he said, “Please, gather yourself in your host’s mouth. I have to show you something.”

Unquestionably, Nolan did so. He opened his mouth, the blue slime lying on top of his tongue. Even in that form, he looked completely innocent.

Forde ripped over the packet of salt and poured it on his own tongue, cringing from the taste. Then, he leaned over and kissed Nolan’s lips before swiftly drawing back, the aftertaste of the salt lingering in his now empty mouth. The effect was immediate.

Nolan’s body began to violently convulse. “Wh-What did you d-do?!” Nolan cried out, spitting out the salt and now bits of foam. “Br-Brother?!” His eyes rolled to the back of his head and spat out more and more foam—the remains of his desiccated body. Forde shut his eyes and covered his ears.

Just like snails and slugs, their species would dry out when their real forms were exposed to concentrated amounts of salt due to osmosis. Even though they originated from the ocean, the intense amount of salt would still kill them. It only due to Forde’s biology degree that he could figure that out. And because of that, he knew that there was a chance Alan didn’t know that, either. This was his only weapon… the only thing he had to stop the invasion.

And yet…

Forde jumped as Nolan grabbed his arm in desperation. He opened his eyes and the image burned itself into his memory. He was dying. Nolan, the slime, whatever, was dying. Because of him. Because of what Forde did. He’s just a parasite, a murderer, Forde kept thinking as the convulsing began to cease. “I had to, I had to...” he kept muttering to himself, even as tears trailed down his cheeks.

He was a murderer just like me.

Now, he was staring at Nolan’s still-breathing body. There was no life in his eyes, but his chest still rose and fell, and his mouth was still agape. The slime, his brother, was gone. And Nolan was gone too. Two more lives that Forde had snuffed out, and tomorrow he would have to do it again.

He tried to smile. “Nolan...” he said, embracing the brain-dead husk. “Nolan, Nolan… Nolan… I love you,” he said, caressing Nolan’s unmoving face. “I saved you, I did it… you’re okay now.” Forde pressed his face on Nolan’s left pectoral. His heart continued to beat despite how empty it was. “You’re free, you’re okay. I k-killed the parasite, I did it for you…! So, you’ll forgive me, right?” There was no response, no matter how much Forde pleaded. However, he continued. "Please, please tell me you'll forgive me. You and Forde will forgive me, right? Please, please, for the love of God, please help me...”

Neither God nor Nolan answered him that night.

Eight Guests a Party

Alan’s invader awoke late in the morning, just before noon. All the breeding and planning from last night, as well as converting Alan’s friend—whatever his name was—had all but exhausted him. Even so, as he awoke, he felt refreshed and re-energized. Everything had gone according to plan, even with the setback he had encountered one of Alan’s old friends. Soon, Forde’s friends would arrive and enjoy a night at the pool, where Alan’s invader left his awaiting spawn.

Although a small force, the fact that they would convert eight whole bodies in the span of just two days was a major boon for the invasion. While the four invaders gathered together to feed their hosts, Alan explained it to them all.

“Understood!” said Nolan, nodding. Ever obedient.

“Right,” said Alan’s friend. None of them quite knew what his name was exactly, and neither did Alan’s offspring.

Forde nodded, looking… sullen? That seemed to be the appropriate name for the emotion. “I understand, brother,” he said to Alan. Regardless of the emotion, he appeared to be obedient. “So your friend and you will hide upstairs while Nolan and I make sure that our friends swim in the pool?”

Nodding, Alan said, “It is absolutely vital that none of these prominent and virile hosts do not suspect anything until they are all infected. The moment one of them gets away as if able to warn the authorities, our invasion is finished.”

“Don’t worry,” said Nolan, “We don’t intent to let anything get in the way.”

Forde nodded, grimacing. “I’ll do my best, brother. I swear it.”

“Is that so? You should know nothing like that means anything to me, brother.”

Alan’s invader wasn’t sure why, but he could almost see the malice flash across Forde’s face.

Night arrived and the sounds of men filled the air. To keep themselves hidden, Alan’s invader and the invader who took over the other one hid in the room of Forde’s parents. They sat in the dark, the only light streaming was that of the moon and the lights from the pool below. Before the hour was up, they would no longer have to hide.

Alan’s invader looked through the window the various hosts talking, dancing, and merrily drinking as they unknowingly enjoyed their last night in this world. In a way, the sight was pitiful. Promising young men who have done nothing wrong will soon just become husks and the key to their species’ extinction.

“Something wrong, father?” Alan’s friend asked with a slight tilt of his head. “You seem concerned. I haven’t seen that from you.”

“Perhaps my host has affected me more than I initially believed,” said Alan’s invader. He took a seat on the king-sized bed and stared down at his hands. He thought about his fingers moving, and they did. It was a natural, instinctive movement, yet there was something truly miraculous about it. Yet, something about that bothered him. “When did I start believing these were mine?” he mused, eyes narrowing. “I think, therefore I am,” Alan’s invader muttered. He had no idea who said it, but his host considered it so important. “I am alive.”

“Of course you are,” his friend—no, his host’s friend—said with that same naivety his spawn often did. “You command us. You breathe. Of course you’re alive.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Alan’s invader said. When he looked down at that pool, there was a stirring emotion inside of his chest. Joy? No. Ecstasy? No, not that either. He thought about it for about 40 minutes until he spotted Forde’s friends jumping into the pool. “Ah, I think I understand.” The emotion he was feeling was ‘pride,’ for his offspring. The plan had worked as expected. Everything was going perfectly.

However, he couldn’t shake off a feeling of dread. Was it his host’s fear? Was it that the dawn of humanity’s destruction was upon them? Whatever it was, Alan’s invader didn’t mind. He pushed that worthless emotion to the pits of his borrowed mind left the room. His offspring followed close behind.

Alan’s invader arrived just in time to see the final moments of the conversions take place. One of Forde’s friends had made it all the way out of the pool, but it was clear in his writhing form and drool falling from his lips that he wouldn’t last long. “Hhhheeeelp,” said that man while Forde and Nolan merely looked on. Alan’s invader noted that he had never seen such a lack of emotion on Forde’s face before. It was completely blank, almost mirroring his own. There was a rush of relief but also disappointment. What set his brother Forde so far apart from all the others was gone. Though Alan’s invader couldn’t say there was true value behind that, it was a shame to see it go.

“It’s over,” said Forde, looking down at his convulsing friends as they suffered during their last moments. “It’s over, Alan.”

Alan’s invader nodded as he approached. He stood over the men as the last traces of their humanity left them. “You have done well, Forde.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“If that’s what you wish.” Forde balled his fists that at the response, but Alan’s invader didn’t pay much mind to that. He instead focused on the rising men as the first bits of awareness reached them. There were still plans to be made, but for now, everything was all right. His spawn would survive this cold and unforgiving world. No, they would do more than that. They would thrive. 

As these thoughts ran through the invader’s mind, he spotted the glint of a metal blade flash in the night.

He recognized just by the sight alone. The invader raised his hands in defense as Forde brandished a small and sharp night, easy to conceal. The sensation of dread returned, and the invader let out a cry of panic. However, before Forde could run him through, several bodies all pinned him down.

Now useless, the knife fell to the pavement with a sharp clatter that made the invader jump. Forde reached out for it with desperate fingers before Nolan kicked it out of reach.

“No…” breathed Forde. “Damnit, damnit!” he said, slamming his fist against the pavement as his former friends rose from their place.

Alan’s invader stepped forward. The knife hadn’t come anywhere near him, yet his skin was covered in goosebumps. Yet another new sensation. “Why did you do that?” he asked with a slight, quizzical tilt of his head.

“To stop the invasion!” screamed Forde. Something akin to desperation and pain danced in his wild eyes. “To stop you. I… look at ourselves, Alan. Look at what we are. I killed Forde, and I lead to all my friends dying.”

“So your plan was to kill me? Your brother, who chose you over all the others who died?”

“It was luck!” shouted Forde. “Y’know that more than anyone that it was only by luck that I was the one to take over Forde. Don’t pull that shit with me!” he said, trembling with rage. His cheeks were completely red and tears threatened to fall down his cheeks. “You didn’t save me. You don’t care about me,” he said, attempting to escape from his friend’s grip.

“You’re right,” nodded Alan’s invader. “I see now that I shouldn’t have cared about you at all.” Disappointment. It was an emotion that his host was intimate with. A disappointing child wasn’t anything new, and disappointment towards himself came as often as the sun rose in the morning. “You’ve always been so emotional. So much more human compared to everyone else. It is no wonder you’ve become the way you are now.”

Forde let out a few more staggered breaths before finally sighing. Head low and shoulder slumped, he asked, “Why am I alive? Why am I here? Out of all the members of our species that you could have saved, why was it me?” 

“I can’t say I know,” was the invader’s blasé response. “However, I do know this. Whatever happened, it was a mistake. I must’ve wronged you in some way, brother. That’s why you believe you’re Forde. It’s why you have these emotions.” The invader gently lifted up Forde’s chin so they were eye-to-eye, faces just inches apart. “You’re a danger to yourself and this invasion, Forde. We can’t afford you to remain alive.”

“A mistake,” echoed Forde. “Just a mistake. That’s all I am, then.” His voice, so filled with defiance and determination just minutes before, was now just a hollow whisper.

“Is this what you wanted?” demanded the invader, punching Forde’s stomach. Forde sucked in air through his teeth but didn’t scream. The invader scoffed and punched him again, but still nothing. “To die amongst your new comrades?” he continued. “Your fellow family?”

“No, I wanted you to die with me, brother,” said Forde, head low. “I want to die for the sins I’m carrying.”

“...You’re disgusting,” said Alan’s invader. “These emotions ruined your opportunity in this world. Even now, I can feel this disgusting human’s sentiments impede my thinking.” He looked up at the stars, where he was certain he belonged, and scowled. “I’m trapped in this in this filthy world, chained up by these petty sins my host refuses to let go. I’m chained to the earth and I can’t fly to the stars like we’re destined to do.” In that cloud of anger, the most visceral emotion he has ever felt, Alan’s invader wound his fist back and struck Forde’s cheek. “I won’t let your nonsense get in our way. I won’t allow you to disrupt my mission and prevent our species from taking its rightful place.”

Forde, still reeling from that blow, looked back up and glared at the invader. There was a tense moment, a brief hesitation, before he spat a glob of blood right at the invader’s face. 

Finally, the invader thought, that fire in his eyes returned. Forde lived once more. That was the last thing the invader wished to see from the brother he had saved. It was an accident, but I don’t carry any regrets, Forde. You carry a potential I wish I could understand, but I must fulfill my duty. Our people, my offspring, deserve the right to live and feel the pride I had the privilege to feel.

“Hold still, freak,” the invader growled as he held Forde’s squirming face still. “You’re wasting valuable resources. I’ll have to pry you out of that body myself.” Once more, the fear in Forde’s eyes returned, but the defiance never left. Even to the end, Forde remained steadfast and full of life. In a low whisper, one he wasn’t certain Forde would even hear, the invader said, “I’ll miss you, my brother. My friend.” The invader gathered himself up in his host’s mouth, growing lightheaded for a second. Then, he leaned in for a kiss.

“NOW!”

Surely, he would’ve seen this coming. Two of Forde’s friends grabbed his arms and pinned him down to the ground. With the surprise impact, Alan accidentally bit down on the slime and allowed the invader to spill onto the pavement. With little way to escape, the invader just lied on the ground, attempting to crawl back into its bleeding host with the speed of a snail.

Forde reached into his pocket and pulled out some kind of packet. The invader could only make out “SALT” before Forde pinned him to the ground. “DIE!” Was the last thing the invader heard from Forde as he shoved the packet into his pathetic, slimy body.

Alan’s friend fell to the ground as well, pinned down by some more of Forde’s friends. What had initially appeared to be the invader’s emotionless spawn revealed themselves to have a wide range of emotions, not unlike Forde.

Ah, a ruse, the invader thought as his body burned at the salt’s touch. How clever. So that’s why Alan’s friend arrived. A distraction to fill the pool with your own flawed, miserable, heartful spawn. He looked up at the weeping, blubbering Forde as Nolan pulled him in for an embrace. You win, brother. Humanity is saved. The burden of your own spawn and the burden of the dead now lie with you.

Why are you alive? Why are you like this? I couldn’t give you an answer, but perhaps you can find it on your own.

I wish you the best, brother.

And the invader stopped thinking.

Eight Cups a Day Finale

A Star-Studded Future

“Nrgh, mm! Oh god, oh FUCK!” said Danny as Eddy slammed harder into him. “God, fuck me harder, daddy. Make me screaaaam.”

At that Eddy just chuckled. “God, what was in Forde that made you into such a needy slut?”

“Dunno, whatever it was that made ya lust for man-ass,” Danny quipped back as Eddy relentlessly pounded him. Before Danny could continue his trash talking, he gasped as his back arched in a perfect C. “Woah! I’m fucking close, I’m gonna…!” Danny let out a small whine as Eddy wrapped his arms around him. Leaving behind little kisses up Danny’s neck, Eddy eventually began to make out with Danny—silencing his screams as the two came. Ropes of cum landed all over the freshly-washed sheets. Shame for Forde’s detergent supplies, but that wasn’t Eddy’s problem.

“Mmm, so fucking nice,” said Eddy. He ran his finger down the sheets and scooped up some of the cum. It tasted much sweeter than he expected. Was that an effect of being a species like himself or did Danny-boy just have a nice, pineapple-filled diet? “Goddamn, that was good. Really needed that to start the morning.” He lightly slapped Danny’s ass while the cum dribbled out.

“Whatever, homo,” said Danny, eyes rolling. After a few seconds of disentangling from each other, he rolled off the bed and made his way over to the backroom, not caring how much he was leaking or the mess he was leaving behind. “Clean up the sheets and shit. I gotta take a shower,” he said in an uncaring tone.

“What, no cuddling?”

“Cuddle with yourself. I reek after you rubbed your torso and shot your loads all over me last night.” With that, Danny slammed the door behind him.

Eddy shrugged and put on some of his clothes. His host hadn’t brought another change of clothes and he wasn’t Forde’s size, so he had to settle for the shirt that reeked of sweat and the shorts with cum stains. “Not like I care too much,” he said, shrugging. Speaking out loud was beginning to be a habit of his—despite the lack of memory of him doing that. “Must’ve been a Forde thing,” he reasoned. Despite all that happened and how much he wished it hadn’t, he had to accept the reality.

Eddy wasn’t Eddy, but he was close to it. The small parts of him that wasn’t Eddy were that of Forde and his memory of who Eddy was. Would that be enough to fully play the role? Eddy wasn’t sure, but he also wasn’t sure of who he was, only who he was supposed to be. How were they expected to play this role for? It was difficult for them to even achieve this sort of bond with their hosts. Now they had to play pretend for the rest of their hosts’ natural lifespan? They would be impostors for the rest of their lives, carefully calculating their behavior to fit their host as best as possible.

And yet, just the thought of that made Eddy’s shoulders slump. It wasn’t just a burden, but a limit on his life. He knew Eddy’s plans for the future, but the picture-perfect life tilted just the tiniest bit. He was Eddy, but enough of him wasn’t Eddy that he felt like something completely new. It was a dysphoria he couldn’t quite shake off. Did he deserve the right to uproot the wishes of the original Eddy? Or the wishes of his friends and loved ones?

Where did Eddy end, and where did this not-Eddy begin?

“Wonder how long we can keep it up…”

“Keep what up?” Eddy turned around and saw Makoto walking around with just a jockstrap on. “’fraid our folks are gonna find out ‘bout us? I wouldn’t worry.”

At the very least, both Eddy and not-Eddy disliked Makoto just as much. He wouldn’t have to pretend that part. “Just because Forde liked being just as much a slob as you are doesn’t mean you’re gonna blend in perfectly.”

“Oh c’mon, li’l Ed,” said Makoto, grinning at him. “Don’t be such a pessimist. We’ve done the impossible already. Stopped an alien invasion and got some sweet bodies outta it.” As he spoke, he gyrated his hips and even thrust into the air a few times.

Eddy stared, but he wasn’t amused. “Like Nolan said, Makoto, we killed these guys and took their place. We’re like those freaky bodysnatchers in the movies.”

“God, now I know you’re gonna do well as Eddy,” said Makoto, dropping his grin. “Just as much of a killjoy as the original. Go blow a few more loads into Danny-boy so you can actually crack a smile.” Smirking, Makoto added, “Or else it’ll be me coating his walls.” Before Eddy could reply, Makoto spun on his heel and walked away.

“Piece of shit,” was all Eddy said before sauntering towards the living room, hands in his pockets and slouching.

It was still rather early—only about 7 am—but most of the hosts were already milling around in the living room. Because of the dilemma that occurred last night, most of them hadn’t gotten much of a chance to really get to know and explore their new forms. “It’s hard to figure out who or what we’re supposed to be.” It was one of Forde’s older friends, a man by the name of Oscar. “We’re not really these creatures, not really Forde, but not really any of our hosts.”

He was a more thoughtful individual than Eddy was, so he figured he might as well just speak to him about it.

“You thinking about it as well?” asked Eddy as he slid over to an open seat next to Alan.

The poor man was looking around, eyes eagerly taking in every sight like a newborn. Since there was very little of the old man’s mind left by the time Forde’s offspring took over, he was in an “awkward situation,” as Nolan put it. Eddy preferred the term “horrifying,” but he kept it to himself. No need to bring the mood down even further. Turning back to face Oscar, Eddy continued. “I feel like Eddy, but not really at the same time. Like I’m playing a role.”

Oscar nodded. “One way to see it is that we’re the offspring of Forde and our host. In that way, our existence is a lot more humanitarian. We’re just children that have to play pretend in to keep the order.” He took a deep breath and crossed his legs together, as if meditating. It was a habit of Oscar whenever too mcuh stress took ahold of him. Eddy could at least see that.

“So you’re fine with this,” said Eddy.

“No, but I’m not un-fine with it, either.” Was that what peace looked like? Oscar didn’t seem satisfied or dissatisfied. He simply accepted it and moved on. Perhaps Eddy should try the same, but that niggling feeling in the back of his head wouldn’t disappear. “You won’t be fine with it until you’re fine with who you are, Eddy,” said Oscar.

Eddy rose from where he had fallen on the ground. “Always were good at scaring the crap outta me,” he said, rubbing his head. “Get out of my head, Oscar.”

“You told me what was bothering you. I’m just trying to help.”

“Still on it, Ed-boy?” Eddy groaned as Makoto walked into the living room once more. At the very least, he was far more modest. Not only that, but Makoto was also carrying a duffel bag. “Figured it’s about time we parted ways,” he said when everyone’s eyes went over to his bag. “There’s no point in staying here while everyone messing up my vibes.” Swiping a pair of discarded sunglasses from the table, Makoto put them on and flashed a peace sign. He looked like such a douchebag. “Got a life to lead, y’know? Y’all should do the same. ‘s all we can do for our hosts and our species or whatever. No need to grieve when we can party.”

What did that even mean? Even before the invasion, Eddy and Makoto were simply incompatible. Just sharing their thoughts or perspectives out loud led to arguments and fighting, as if they couldn’t tolerate the existence of such feelings. They were oil and water. Or rather, water and Rubidium, as a certain fictional con-artist once put it as. Despite the gravity of the situation, this was just another case of the two of them being unable to agree. Despite the familiarity, Eddye still felt sick as he stared Makoto down. “Doesn’t it even matter to you, ya prick?” said Eddy. Before the two of them could start fighting, Oscar cleared his throat.

“Say goodbye to Forde and Nolan first,” said Oscar, a relaxed yet enigmatic smile on his face. “It’s rude to leave the nest without properly thanking your parents first.”

“...They’re still having a chat...” said Makoto, gaze growing distant. The duffel bag slipped from his grasp as he was lost in thought. “They haven’t stopped talking since last night. I don’t know how Forde’s doing, or if he’s even gonna get any better.”

An uncomfortable silence spread over the room. Forde hadn’t been able to see any of them eye-to-eye since the previous night. They had won, and yet the look of pure despair on Forde’s face sapped any joy any of his offspring could have felt in that instance. Without a leader, they were stuck in that awkward point where none of them could figure out what to do or who they even were.

Children imitate their parents, thought Eddy, but are we supposed to imitate Forde when parts of us are already Forde? Oscar said we were like Forde and our hosts’ kids, but… why do I feel sick just being alive? Is that part of childhood as well?

There were no answers to that. The invaders, now much more docile and depressed, simply conversed on ideas of what they could do. Even what they considered themselves as was no longer accurate. Though Forde had won them their freedom, they were left in the uncomfortable position of defining what their freedom now was.

It was impossible to see the stars in town. To do so, Nolan would have to organize another trip, and he doubted Forde was in any state, physical or emotional, to do so. “Sun’s been up for a while,” he told Forde, who remained huddled in a cocoon of blankets. “You don’t want to get up? At the very least, stretch your legs?”

No response, as usual. Nolan sighed and peeled the curtains to allow the sunlight in. Forde wasn’t a morning person, from what Nolan could recall, but Forde had been catatonic for the past few hours. “I’m not leaving this room without you,” he said. He paused and focused on the memories he could access, he remembered a certain device tucked away Forde’s closet. It was a gift from Nolan from their childhood that Forde refused to throw away despite how much dust it had collected.

A gift from an unrequited love.

Nolan—the creature inside of Nolan—wondered what exactly the real Nolan would think of this. Would he be touched or disgusted? Did he appreciate like this new Nolan did? Or was this some kind of twisted victory for Forde?

Nolan shook his head. There would be time for such thoughts later. For now, Forde needed him.  He walked towards the center of the room and turned on the projector.

It wasn’t quite the planetarium, but it would do. The sky wasn’t the same as that night, but it was close enough. Just as these creatures weren’t quite their hosts, they would have to do. “We’re trying so hard to be human, to be normal,” Nolan muttered out loud, another habit from Forde, “doesn’t that give us value as well?” He stared up at the false stars spinning on the ceiling and wondered where had they come from? Or had they always been dwellers of the sea?

They were liars and fakes. Most people would think they had little value. Had Forde ordered them to, most of them would’ve swallowed the salt with little hesitation without any of the memories of personality of their original hosts fully absorbed. Now it was far too late. Forde had given them the gift of life—of awareness. Their lives were their own to decide. Wasn’t that in itself beautiful? Worthy of being alive?

Nolan wasn’t sure. In all honesty, he wasn’t exactly how much of himself was Nolan, Forde, and his very own self. Yet the feeling ballooning in his chest had so much weight and shined just as bright as any star that he refused to believe they had any less value.

Authentic or not, original or stolen, their lives were their own.

“Thank you, Forde,” said Nolan in a louder voice as he slipped under the sheets and embraced Forde’s still body. “What you did wasn’t a mistake. We’re alive because of you. And we get to see sights like these because of you.” His hands searched until he found Forde’s own. Their finger intertwined, without any resistance from Forde. “Let’s go camping again, just like that night. But, let’s make it our own. Not our parents, but our very own memory.” Tears had begun to spill onto the bed. Nolan wasn’t sure if they were his own or not. “Wouldn’t that be something, right?”

…

…

…

“… I wanna see those stars again...” Forde squeezed Nolan’s hand back.

It was an awkward step forward, but it was a large leap for them all nonetheless.