When Jena's new boyfriend, Herm, announces that he is traveling the North Shore of Lake Superior to meet Commander Donner, she is skeptical. After all, Herm is convinced that he is an alien from the planet Xylan who has been sent to Earth to search for rare minerals. As far as she is concerned, he is living in a dream world. However, Herm is also a nice guy, the best she's ever known, and she enjoys being with him. So does her eight-year-old daughter, Sylvie. If only it weren't for that alien issue…

Jena is conflicted. Herm's entire trip up north seems like a figment of his imagination. The night before he is scheduled to leave, they argue, but to no avail. He leaves the next morning, and Jena is not so much distraught as she is ready to forget all about him and move on. Six hours later, though, she receives a text. Herm has been put in jail for hitchhiking in a small town north of Duluth. Against her better judgment, Jena travels north to help him, taking Sylvie with her, along with her best friend Kalli.

Unbeknownst to Jena, on the drive north, Herm escapes from jail and goes on the run. Jena is able to find him, and she agrees to take him to his meeting with the commander. It is then she learns the awful truth about Herm's past.

This is a story of the horrors that some people can inflict upon the innocent. It is also a story of how incredibly strong the human spirit is. Ultimately, it is a story of how strong the bonds of love truly can be.

Chapter Two Excerpt:

Chapter Two – Hidden Beach

After giving her a minute to calm down, Herm ran across the grass to where Jena was standing. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest. He came up to her. "Jena. Hey there. Are you okay? I didn't mean to weird you out or anything." He made a move to rub her back, but she pushed his hand away. He put his hand up and stepped back. "I'm so sorry." He was, too. There was so much about Jena that he didn't understand. Maybe he shouldn't have been so blunt about Terros's intentions. Or honest.

But he had been. Now he'd have to deal with the consequences.

Jena turned to Herm, stood on her tiptoes, and got in his face. "Take over Earth!" she'd whispered loudly. "What the hell do you mean?"

So he'd explained about Commander Terros and the lack of resources on Xylan, chief among them minerals, and that he had to go to Lake Superior because Captain Donner wanted to have a face-to-face meeting and talk to him.

By the time he'd finished telling Jena everything, the sun had set, the couple with the dog had left, and Sylvie had come back to the picnic table and crawled underneath. It was obvious she was tired.

Jena turned to Herm and shook her head. "I don't understand what the hell you're talking about." Then she started walking toward her daughter. "Let's talk later."

"Okay. Good." Herm had said, following along. He was glad Jena still was willing to listen.

They'd taken her home, put her to bed, and then stayed up talking long into the night. The primary outcome was that the more Herm talked and tried to explain about Donner and Terror and the lack of minerals on Xylan, the more Jena was convinced she should quit seeing Herm. It was obvious that the guy had serious mental issues. Plus, she had her daughter to consider. No, she had decided. It was best to end things with him. Soon.

Herm was still at her place when Jena had finally fallen asleep on the couch. When she woke up, Herm was gone. On the kitchen table was a note: Jena- I hope you aren't angry with me. I like you a lot. But this is something I have to do. I'm taking a bus to Basalt this morning. I've got my phone. I'll be in touch.

She couldn't help it. She read the note again and again. And the more times she read it, the more her heart went out to him. Herm really was a good guy. Different, maybe, that was for sure, but he was kind-hearted and fun to be with. Plus, he was great with Sylvie. Shoot. She smacked her head. Why was this all so confusing? Maybe she'd give him another chance; hang in there with him and see what happened. So that's what she'd decided to do.

That was yesterday. Now it was just after lunchtime.

And now this text. Please call me. I'm in jail.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Sylvie asked. "You look sad." She was hungrily eating her mac and cheese.

Jena smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her daughter's ear. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm doing fine."

Fine except for Herm. What was she going to do about him? In jail? Geez!

Just then her phone beeped again. It was another message. Of course, it was from Herm. It read, simply: Please?

Jena sighed and made a snap decision. She called Herm and they talked briefly. When she was finished and after she'd hung up, she hugged Sylvie. "Well, honey. It looks like we're going on a road trip."

"Where?"

"Up north. Up by Lake Superior."

"Yippee!" Sylvie cheered.

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