Not Just a Number

Eli barely slept that night. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the silver being with those sad violet eyes. He tossed and turned in his small room, his mind racing with questions. By morning, dark circles framed his eyes, but he felt more awake than ever.

He arrived at the institute early, his heart beating fast as he swiped his keycard at the door. Today wouldn't be like any other day. Today, he knew what—or rather who—he was really learning.

As he walked to Lab 7, Dr. Kane's voice stopped him.

"Dr. Carter," she called from down the hallway. "Change of plans. Come with me."

Eli followed her, trying to keep his face calm. Did she know he had seen the alien last night? Was he in trouble?

"We've moved your research to a more... appropriate location," Dr. Kane said, leading him toward a section of the building he had never visited before.

They stopped at a large door marked "Containment Wing." Dr. Kane put her hand on a scanner, and the door slid open with a soft hiss.

"After yesterday's delivery, I've decided you need direct access to the specimen," she said, her voice cool and professional. "You'll be working in the observation room adjacent to Containment Room X27."

Eli's mouth went dry. "The specimen?"

Dr. Kane glanced at him. "Yes. The source of the cells you've been studying."

They walked down a long hallway with doors on either side. Each door had a name and a small window. Eli fought the urge to peek inside as they passed.

"Here we are," Dr. Kane said, stopping at a door marked X27. "Before we enter, I need to be clear about something, Dr. Carter."

She turned to face him, her eyes hard as steel. "What you're about to see is classified at the highest level. This study could change everything we know about life in the universe. It could also make our careers—or end them, based on how we handle it."

Eli nodded, his throat tight.

"You will refer to the subject as Subject X27. You will record everything. You will report straight to me, and only to me." She leaned closer. "And you will not, under any circumstances, form any personal connection to it. This is a research study, not a friendship. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Dr. Kane," Eli said, though his heart disagreed.

"Good." She swiped her card and entered a code. The door opened.

Inside was a small room with computers, screens, and scientific tools. One wall was made completely of thick, clear glass. Beyond the glass was a larger room, empty except for a simple bed, a table, and a chair.

And there, sitting perfectly still on the edge of the bed, was the silver being.

In the bright light of the room, Eli could see the stranger clearly. Its skin wasn't just silver—it shimmered with faint designs that moved like ripples on water. It was tall and thin, with long arms and legs that bent at slightly odd angles. Its face was both strange and familiar—with features in the right spots but shaped differently than any human's.

The alien's eyes were what grabbed Eli's attention most. Large and violet, they seemed to glow from within. They weren't just the color of flowers or gems—they were the color of distant galaxies in the deepest space photos.

"Subject X27 was recovered three days ago," Dr. Kane said, her voice snapping Eli back to attention. "The retrieval team found it after following an unusual object that entered our atmosphere. We believe it's the first touch with a non-terrestrial intelligent species."

Eli couldn't take his eyes off the alien. "Is... is it hurt?"

"It sustained minor injuries during retrieval," Dr. Kane said dismissively. "Nothing serious. It appears to be in stable condition now, though its breathing needed some adjustment to our atmosphere."

The alien turned suddenly, those violet eyes fixing straight on Eli. He felt a jolt, like electricity running through his body. There was intelligence in that gaze—deep, old intelligence.

"The glass is one-way. It can't see you," Dr. Kane said, mistaking his response.

Eli wasn't so sure. The way the stranger was looking right at him made him wonder.

"Your job is to continue studying its cellular structure, but now you'll also observe its behavior," Dr. Kane continued. "Document everything. Feeding time is at noon and 6 PM. The viewing room is yours 24/7 if needed."

She gave him a thick binder. "Here's what we know so far, which isn't much. I expect daily reports."

With that, Dr. Kane turned to leave.

"Dr. Kane," Eli called after her. "Does it—I mean, does Subject X27 have a name?"

She looked at him coldly. "It hasn't shared that information, and we haven't asked. It's not a pet, Dr. Carter. It's a specimen. Remember that."

After she left, Eli turned back to the glass. The alien was still looking in his direction, its head tilted slightly as if curious.

Eli sat at the computer and began reading the book. The notes were cold and clinical—weight readings, blood samples, tissue analysis. Nothing about who the being was or where it came from. Just "Subject X27" over and over.

"That's not right," Eli whispered to himself. "You're not just a number."

He looked up at the alien again. It had moved to the table and was tracing designs on its surface with a long, elegant finger.

For the next few hours, Eli watched and took notes. The alien moved with a strange grace, each action fluid like water. It studied everything in its room with careful attention. Sometimes it would stand totally still, eyes closed, as if listening to something Eli couldn't hear.

At noon, a small panel in the wall opened, and a tray of food appeared—fruits, veggies, and something that looked like rice. The alien approached cautiously, sniffed the food, then chose a piece of apple. It took a small bite, considered the taste, then continued eating.

"You're careful," Eli whispered. "Smart."

As the day went on, Eli found himself talking more, even though he knew the alien couldn't hear him. It felt wrong to sit in silence, watching this clever being like it was an animal in a zoo.

"I wish I knew your name," Eli said as he made notes about the alien's cellular makeup. "Everyone deserves a name."

He looked up at the star chart on the wall of his observation room. His eyes landed on one of his favorite stars—Kael, a bright blue-white star in a faraway constellation.

"Kael," Eli said, testing the name. It felt right somehow—bright and strong, yet beautiful.

He opened a new document on his computer and typed "Observations of Subject X27 (Kael)." It was just for his personal notes, but it made him feel better.

As evening approached, Eli noticed the alien—Kael—looking tired. Its moves slowed, and it returned to sit on the edge of the bed. For a moment, its shoulders seemed to slump, and Eli thought he saw a shimmer run down its face.

Was it crying?

The thought made Eli's chest tighten. He pressed his hand against the glass before he could stop himself.

Kael's head snapped up, those violet eyes locking directly on Eli's hand. Slowly, the alien rose and walked to the exact spot where Eli's hand was pushed. It raised its own hand and placed it against the glass, exactly mirroring Eli's.

Eli gasped and jumped back. It was impossible. The glass was one-way. Kael couldn't possibly see him.

Yet there the alien stood, hand outstretched, eyes fixed exactly where Eli stood.

Eli's heart beat. Slowly, warily, he stepped forward again and raised his hand to the glass. Kael's hand was still there, waiting.

As their hands met—separated only by the thick glass—a strange feeling spread up Eli's arm and into his chest. For a split second, he thought he heard something—not with his ears, but inside his mind. A soft sound, like faraway music.

Then Kael dropped its hand and returned to the bed, leaving Eli staring in wonder and confusion.

He looked down at his hand, still tingling with warmth, then back at Kael. Whatever had just happened, one thing was clear—there was much more to this silver stranger than anyone at the school realized.

And somehow, against all logic and science, Eli was certain of something else too—Kael knew he was there. And more importantly, Kael knew that Eli saw him not as a specimen, but as someone who earned a name.