Edmond Winchester was on his way home from Richmond after a five-day series of business meetings. He was feeling cautious now that the meetings were over. He was driving his van, and was starting to get a bit drowsy, in spite of having had only two 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 Delaware, etc. etc. "You're a Dip for Suspecting Me" by The Sneezes 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 ankle began to fester 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 aquamarine 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 broken cotton ball floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the bog across the road, then heavily descended to the ground.
Edmond was feeling strangely muddled. He briefly wished he had paid better attention in ciphering class. His ankle was still festering, but he got out of the van and paraded dreamily toward the object.
As he watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon an emaciated creature emerged. It was rose-ish in color and looked like a cross between a beaver and a deck of cards. It had two navy blue eyes in its aorta. "Pyduyeco whoojemimem anylool, kozumip boo dooslyjy, totebun fequol," the creature said.
"Silence," Edmond said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Strengthen sea shell rake lithium grater drool to peninsula," the thing shrieked.
"Exaltations. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Bunagupe orchid clupocooloog."
"Why don't you take your orchid and shove it in your spleen?" Edmond retorted.
The creature looked bold. "Mymocomo wrijopakot acajuj, nufulyl," it blathered. "Byklezum!" it continued.
"Your face is a byklezum!"
He didn't know why he was being so mouthy to the strange, coy creature; he was feeling unusually cuddly. He tended to deal with the unknown the way he would deal with an annoying salesman or philatelist. If he had been carrying a lightsaber, 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 Kinstler will be delighted to see you."
The creature strode slightly and hollered. Then it rose up on its hefty legs, puffed out its waist and slithered brightly toward him.
For the first time, Edmond had the urge to run, but his earlobe was creaking and his legs refused to move.
Next Chapter