Lost

  I don't even know how I got into this mess. Branches poke my feet as I walk through the wilderness, breathing heavily. My clothes are gone, and the last thing I can remember is getting out of my car, parked in front of my house. As I'd stepped out, I thought I heard something, a noise, a voice I think, then a thud, and then... This.
  I've been walking for nearly an hour, I think. I'm not sure, but I know it's been a long time, and it feels like it's been forever. It's really dark, even with the full moon lighting the way where it can, shrouded by trees. A few times I've heard the snap of twigs nearby, but my investigations have yet to turn up anything. I assume there are woodland critters around me. What's really been bothering me are the chuckles, the coughing. Signs of actual life, maybe even the person who brought me here. I run when I hear those noises, duck out of sight until I hear my pursuer move past me. Somehow, though, they always find me. I'm worried if they are tracking me, or if there is more than just one man.
  Shivering, both from the cold and the fear running through my veins, I try to keep my breathing quiet, and try to avoid making noise. The occasional snap of a twig nearby makes me tense, but I know I can't do anything about it.
  I've walked maybe a half hour more before I'm blocked by a ten-foot chain fence. It's topped with barbed wire, and I hope it's only my imagination that sees dried blood on the tips. A little examination shows that the entire fence is barbed, actually... Somebody's put me in a cage...
  That's when I hear it, just as I finish my thought. Chuckling, ringing out all around from behind. I can't turn around. There's definitely more than one person back there. I have to climb. It's my only way out.
  As I make my decision, the chuckling becomes full-blown laughter, sending chills down my spine. I hear footsteps, drawing nearer, and the fence begins shaking a little as I hear quick poundings against it. I hold my breath, and contain my yelp as my hands grip the wire. I begin to climb. A rock whizzes by, grazing my shoulder. This time I cry out, and grip the fence tightly. Big mistake. Tears welling up in my eyes, I continue climbing, faster this time, as my endorphins try to take the pain.
  Another rock smacks me on the head, and stars flash in my vision. How high am I? I must be getting close. The laughter is getting louder, becoming near-shrieks. Another rock lands, hard. I close my eyes, wincing in pain. I lose my breath. When I open my eyes back up, I'm on the ground.
  What I see next makes me scream, louder than I ever have before. Standing around me, in a tight circle, are beings shaped like humans, but... These beings are mere silhouettes, their bodies more like shadows than actual people. I feel a pinprick in my forehead, then words.
  Hello, human. I hear in my mind. You seem to have lost your grip. Pity. We were having so much fun with you.
  My head rings from the voice, and my bloody hands clutch it in pain. I try to get up. My legs won't move. I look down, screaming again as I see it, a black mass pinning me down. This one isn't like the other Shadows, this is an object, a blanket of sorts. But much heavier, I think to myself as it presses down. More screaming, as I hear the snap and tear of bones and tendons.
  Suddenly, numbness fills me, every inch, and my vision fades, going black, as black as the beings, moving slowly closer to me...

Torra

  The people cheered and applauded as their new world leader stepped up to the podium. Elected by the billions worldwide, he smiled and waved at the vast crowd who made it there.
  "As your new leader, I hereby swear to uphold our planet's constitution and laws, and vow to protect our people from any harm that may befall us, be it civil or not."
  Everyone cheered even louder, the large field standing before the Capitol echoing their voices, and the leader imagined everyone at home doing the same. He felt more nervous than ever, but despite it, he also felt honored. He knew, however, that this joy and planetary pride would subside, and fear of the unknown would once again take hold of the many families worldwide. He stepped down from the podium, escorted by four guards, and twirled his two eye stalks nervously. His vision focused on his front sockets, and his six pores filled with fresh air, inviting to his rapid chamber, which extended and retracted to literally pump blood through his body.
  His advisor stepped up to him, carrying in one of three arms a clipboard. One of his eye stalks looked back to read it, his arm protruding from his lower back.
  "Mr. President, sir", he began, "the polls are just in. People are already uncertain. You've yet to mention your plan for dealing with the, um..." He trailed off for a moment, shook his head, and continued. "With the Terrans. The, um, Earthlings. They've just colonized the planet they call 'Mars', and their telescopes are becoming an increasing threat. We've seen their history before. If they find us, who knows what they will do?"
  The president rubbed his neck, just beginning to grow stubble, and sighed. "We don't know yet what they will do, good or otherwise. Just because they have a history of violence doesn't mean we need to jump to so-called 'solutions'. I am aware of what they are capable of. But there was a time when we, too, fought amongst ourselves. Every species learns to overcome their greed and paranoia. Eventually."
  The advisor stayed silent, but the president could tell what was on his mind. "Tell the people to not fear, that we are keeping a close eye on the Earthlings, the humans. Tell them we are working on... Defensive measures."
  The advisor's eyes widened. "Then it is true?"
  "Yes," the president replied, "and it's time the people knew. Hopefully it will remove some of their fears. Tell them we have developed the first interplanetary missile, and we hope to construct another in the coming months. The humans won't develop much farther by then."
  Solemnly, the advisor stepped away to report the news.
  'Gods,' the president thought, 'this is where we're at. Solving violence with violence.'
  But he knew there would be no other option.