Lost in Magadan: Extraterrestrials on Earth

The next day flew by. Mike and Nikita spent much of the day riding roller coasters at the amusement park, then they headed to downtown Williamsburg for some window shopping. After dinner, they headed into the countryside toward a local winery that had live music in the evenings.

The winery sat atop a hill overlooking a river. To get to the winery and tasting room, they had to drive down a gravel road twisting and turning through rows of grape vines lined up along the hilly countryside. At the top of the hill, stood the large two-story structure that housed the winery. The large building had been designed to resemble a rustic mountain lodge. The pair walked up the heavy wooden timber steps to the wrap-around deck on the first floor. They crossed the country style wooden porch into the main wine tasting room. The wine tasting room had a stone floor and a huge stone fireplace. The fireplace’s chimney reached up two stories past the heavy wooden ceiling trusses. Off to the left, was a wooden bar that sold wines by the glass or bottle. Behind the large bar and tasting area was a glass wall that allowed visitors to look past the tasting room into the work area, which contained several large stainless-steel vats where wine was produced.

“What a lovely place,” Nikita said. She was starting to worry that she would not be able to close the deal with Mike.

“Oh, it is really nice. I really like those leather couches and end tables carved from cross sections of large trees.”

“Let’s get a bottle of wine and sit on the deck,” Nikita said.

“I don’t drink, remember?”

“I’ll drink for both of us,” she giggled.

“I can drive home if you need me to,” Mike said as he reached around and drew her in with his right arm.

God. I hope so.

All the seats on the deck were taken; so they walked past the band, down the steps and onto the well-manicured lawn. There was a circular fire pit made from medium sized boulders surrounded by a dozen Adirondack chairs. Mike and Nikita sat in two chairs by the fire where they could still hear the music. Nikita poured herself a healthy glass of red wine.

“Are you going to miss me when this vacation is over?” Nikita prompted.

“You have no idea how much I’m going to miss you.”

“Maybe we can stay in contact?” she asked.

“I can give you my email address, and if you are ever in New Mexico, I would love to see you.” Mike frowned and slumped down in his chair.

“What about the weekends?”

“I really can’t get away for weekends very often,” he replied.

“Are you just using me for sex? I’m just a booty call for you when you are here in Virginia?” Nikita laughed and raised her glass up at him.

“No, no, I really like you, but my job is demanding.”

“What if you could leave your job, would you want to be with me?”

“Of course, I would love to be with you; I just can’t.”

Did he just drop the L word? He did not say he loved me just that he loved to be with me. Is that the same thing?

“Are you secretly married?” she whispered, leaning forward, as if someone were listening.

“I already told you, I have no family, and that includes no wife.”

“Good. I would hate to think you are cheating on your wife,” Nikita laughed.

I have to stop drinking. I have to be on my A game. One, or both of our lives depend on it.

When Mike was not looking, she poured out the glass of wine to make it look like she had drunk it.

“Hey Mike, let’s go for a walk in the vineyard.”

“I don’t think it’s allowed,” Mike protested.

“I promise you will not regret it.” She tilted her head down and puckered up her lips as if to pout.

She grabbed Mike by the hand, and they slipped into the darkness. Their eyes quickly adjusted to the night, and they walked by moonlight toward the cliffs that overlooked the river. The large rustic lodge of a winery faded away into the distance. The sound of music was replaced with the soft sound of the river lapping at the small sandy beach at the bottom of the steep cliff.

Nikita dropped to her knees in front of Mike and unbuttoned his jeans. She pulled down his zipper and took him into her mouth. Mike closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A few minutes later Mike patted her on the head indicating that she should be prepared for the big finale. She didn’t stop until it was over. She rose to her feet and hugged him. He hugged her back and whispered, “That was incredible.”

“I wish I could do that for you more often. There is a way out for you.”

He stood back with a puzzled look on his face.

“I know who you are. I know you are from another planet. I know you work for a top-secret government agency, building weapons. I can help you escape.”