15 for 15 Contest --- Closed

Craig perched in the tree hanging over the glass tunnel. He knew they were coming, but not when and so he came prepared. He chewed on a piece of jerky until it there was nothing left to chew, and then swallowed. He could be up here for days so he had to conserve his food and energy. Each hour he took inventory of his muscles, isolating and stretching slowly so as not to sway the branch and give away his position. Stealth was key in this situation. If he were discovered, he wouldn't be able to prove their existence.

The others doubted him, but when he brought back the pictures, they'd see he'd been right all along. His camera was tied to the branch in front of him with just enough slack so he could angle it in any direction needed. The shutter would be loud, but he hoped they wouldn't hear it over the chirping of birds roosting in the trees around him. The birds rang out an alarm when he first arrived, but now they seemed to accept his presence and had quieted to a normal level of communication.

He was exhausted and decided to close his eyes for just a moment, the birdsong combined with the heavy heat of the day conspiring against him. With his eyes closed, he could smell the moss and the flowers below. The scent was fresh and pleasant. Soothing to his weary soul. The trip to the glass tunnel had been long and he had to overcome the resistance of the other villagers, who despite their disbelief, were still unwilling to allow the journey. Finally, the chief made the decision that he could go as long as no weapons were taken and he wasn't to return unless he held the proof in his hand. Craig agreed and bade his family farewell, hoping to one day return.

They had been living in the village outside of New York since the aliens arrived and destroyed the city, over thirty years ago. Since that time, no other humans had been sighted until Craig saw a group of three others on a hunting trip. He hadn't confronted them, uncertain of their intentions, but instead ran back to tell the others. His news was met with disbelief so now he was here to gather proof. This was where he saw them last and the vegetation had been cut back recently so he knew they remained in this area.

He was startled awake by the birds once again sounding the alarm and prepared his camera. The three came around the corner and his finger hovered over the shutter button. When one looked up toward his position, his heart stopped and he froze. The villagers had been right. These weren't humans. Their elongated eyes and nose flap seemed to suggest some sort of hybrid species. The aliens had bred with humans and Craig was the first from his village to see their teenage offspring. He said a silent prayer and pushed the button, knowing he had to try to go back with proof.