After years in the shadows, it returns...
(Author's note: Part 1 was written in 2012, while all the parts after 2 were written in 2017.)
While she enjoyed the briskness of the powdery snow that crunched underneath her boots, two figures entered the room that she had picked. They set up the device without a rush, knowing full well that in due time, their treat would return to the room and her curiosity would drive her to want to investigate. Alie was completely unaware of the events that were planned for her that evening and the two only hoped that she would be well worn out so that there wouldn't be too much struggle.
As Alie made her way back to the ski lift for one more run down the mountain, her furtive green eyes caught sight of movement in the window that overlooked the peaks. Her room. There was movement inside! There shouldn't have been. With a knot forming in her stomach that perhaps someone had broken in and was making off with her valuables, Alie quickly removed herself from the small crowd of people waiting for the chairs to come 'round and made her way back towards the hotel.
One of the figures happened to glance out and saw the unmistakable strides of the tall young woman. A sound that didn't register on any earthly language slipped from its lips causing the other to freeze momentarily. "She's coming," said the watcher to the second still away from the window. "She's coming quickly."
Although the two in her room were well versed with every language in the known universe, the language that they spoke was telepathic with a few grunts here and there when there wasn't a word in their own tongue. Under a heightened awareness that the room occupant was coming back to the room much sooner than intended, they quickly looked around to see where they might blend in. Though the two were dressed in hooded robes, this was only to hide their alien-like skin from the rest of humanity.
"We could blend," said the second to the first. "She will be more interested in her suitcase and things she brought with her than in checking the room. We could even leave the door open as though we've fled.
A third figure suddenly materialized from the doorway. He beckoned to the two and they moved fluidly across the floor. The door stayed open as the three slowly became one and then the one slowly slipped backwards into the wall across from the open door. Just in time too as the elevator door chime sounded and Alie's hurried footsteps were heard in the carpeted hallway.
"Is it set?" The question came from Third, asking First and Second. Though First and Second were a merged part of First, their minds still functioned separately even though they were able to communicate without sound.
"Just barely," replied Second. "I saw her returning and I believe First got all of the tripwires set throughout the device. She should be well restrained by the time her curiosity gets the better of her.
"And if we all just wait, we'll be able to hear," muttered First with a bit of sarcasm that got an almost imperceptible kick from Second. Third glared at First as they all settled into an inaudible hush. They all smelled her fear, but this was normal. Had they not been seen, she would have entered the room a great time later, exhausted from her day's exercise, and her faint into sleep would have been easier. Now, the sleep would come only after...
"What did they do? What did they take?" Alie's voice was heard after several moments. She wasn't really talking to anyone in particular, but just the sound of her own voice in the room seemed to calm her own nerves. Her heart pounding in her ears seemed deafening and she half looked around to see who else had heard. If she had known how to look through walls, she would have see 3 sets of hungry eyes staring back at her.
After assuring herself that none of her belongings had been disturbed, she turned to walk out of the door before she saw it: A small wooden thing had been set onto the small stand between the set of drawers and the tv stand. It almost looked like a miniature version of a Star Trek Star Gate, but it seemed far too small for anyone or anything to go through. Stepping to the door to look both ways and seeing the the hall was clear, Alie went back to the device for a closer look.
She shut the door behind her, completely unaware of the 3 separate figures came out of the wall. Had she been less curious about the device and more aware of her sixth sense which clearly detected the trio, she might have seen. As it was, her curiosity ruled that moment. Alie knelt in front of the stand and then noticed that there was the faintest of writing on the sphere that sat between the two arched gates. She bent down to look and made out the words.
"Look through here..."