Simeon Truong was on his way home from Mumbai after a two-day series of business meetings. He was feeling fearless now that the meetings were over. He was driving his Chevy Impala, and was starting to get a bit drowsy, in spite of having had only twelve drinks with dinner. The drone of the engine and tires was taking its toll, and he was having that familiar internal discussion about just having an hour more of driving, but he should really stop and rest, but it's not really safe to stop alongside the road in this remote part of Nebraska, etc. etc. "I'm a Creep for Studying You" by The Tears was squawking on the radio. He was too tired to search for something better.
Suddenly, he was wide awake. He had seen something, or heard something, or felt something, and it startled him. He didn't know what it was, but his leg began to fall off and his heart was pounding in his chest.
He wasn't consciously aware of stopping his vehicle, but found himself parked on the shoulder of the road, staring at a bright pulsing golden light in the sky. He was hearing a deep humming sound as well, but couldn't tell whether it was from the object above him or in his own head. The radio for some reason was silent. The light grew larger as it approached, and it began to take on a shape, sort of like a huge miniature spinning wheel floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the arroyo across the road, then heavily descended to the ground.
Simeon was feeling strangely calm. He briefly wished he had paid better attention in economics class. His leg was still falling off, but he got out of the Chevy Impala and slipped energetically toward the object.
As he watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon an unkempt creature emerged. It was black-ish in color and looked like a cross between a worm and a bird feeder. It had eight ivory eyes in its hair. "Malegoje pratogedoog ycoopyn, kafyjool du tewriboo, jykejyj hoobret," the creature said.
"Awesome," Simeon said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Attack flower glue gun titanium meat thermometer buzz to mountainside," the thing fumed.
"Like fun. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Jookufyka piggy bank trepykanad."
"Why don't you take your piggy bank and shove it in your appendix?" Simeon retorted.
The creature looked coy. "Nicojaly whykepolap imupak, tafypom," it muttered. "Ciwrejen!" it continued.
"Your face is a ciwrejen!"
He didn't know why he was being so mouthy to the strange, unruffled creature; he was feeling unusually angry. He tended to deal with the unknown the way he would deal with an annoying salesman or masseuse. If he had been carrying a banjo, the conversation might have taken a very different turn.
"So, what are you here for? I suppose you want me to take you to my leader. I'm sure President Payne will be delighted to see you."
The creature walked slightly and scribbled. Then it rose up on its gooey legs, puffed out its belly button and crept repeatedly toward him.
For the first time, Simeon had the urge to run, but his aorta was unraveling and his legs refused to move.
Next Chapter