Something tapped against his head. Again, and again came the sensation, accompanied by a soft metallic tink! Alex felt slight pressure near his right temple. He tried to open his eyes and found they were unbearably heavy with sleep. At last, he forced them open to narrow slits through which he perceived an overhead source of light. He understood that he was lying down. A figure moved back and forth in front of the light. He could not make out the face.

When he tried to speak, it came out sounding muffled and confused. He wasn’t even sure he had formed coherent words. He knew what he intended to say, but the transmission from thought to speech had been interrupted by what he guessed was a sedative.

Alex attempted to raise his head, but found it too, uncooperative. He imagined that to the figure before him, he appeared to be severely intoxicated. Finally, he managed a few words. “Whatsss going on?”

There was no answer. The figure, who he eventually recognized as male, continued tapping the right side of his head with some instrument.

Once more, he attempted to raise his head, but with no luck. It was bound. “Hulloooo?”

“Shhh,” came a response. “Just relax. Almost over.”

Alex relaxed. He blinked several times, trying to clear his vision and at last he saw the face of Isaac leaning over him and attending to some business on the right side of his head. There was more tugging, tapping and then stillness.

“There,” said Isaac.

Alex felt a tiny vibration arise inside of him, accompanied by a miniscule hum. It rose to a crescendo and then faded to silence. Feeling somewhat more alert, he spoke. “Where am I?”

Behind Isaac’s white beard brimmed a smile. “Now it’s official. Welcome to Community.”

*********

Mo stepped toward the door, the darkness from the hallway seemed to seep inward and swirl around him. The fine mist, like atoms of pulverized charcoal, hung in the air. He waved his hand in front of him and the gloom parted, then was instantly replaced, as more of it folded inward to collapse the momentary void. It felt as though it might be possible to swim through the substance.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

At the room’s threshold, Mo paused. He was aware that his hearing had been taken from him again, which suggested the presence of one of the humanoids. He stepped forward and looked to the right, down the long, dark corridor. Nothing. Spinning left, he stiffened. A figure stood silhouetted by the pale window frame, his back to Mo. It was Watley.

“There’s someone out there,” he said. “In the parking lot.”

It was then that Mo noted his partner was no longer wearing his helmet.

“What the hell are you doing? Your helmet!” Mo couldn’t hear his own words and doubted if Watley could either.

The brightness of the window created stark contrast, throwing everything surrounding it into deep shadow. When Mo’s eyes adjusted, he noted that to Watley’s right was an open doorway, which lead to the stairwell. It had previously been closed. Something was branched outward from the gloomy space and touching Watley. It suddenly retracted.

“Jesus Christ!”

Watley turned toward Mo. His mouth was moving, but silent. Then, as if given a temporary hearing permit, the words came to Mo. “I’m going. Don’t worry…I’m much better now.”

An almost suffocating silence ensued, and Mo felt the pressure in the air amplify. He stepped backward as Watley turned and entered the stairwell. Mo considered going after him but was confronted by a dark figure that emerged from the doorway.

Humanoid.

Mo retreated to their room and slammed the door closed. He darted into the adjoining suite and locked the door. He wedged the chair under the handle, then went to the door leading to the hallway and barricaded that too. He sunk back against the opposite wall and waited for the end.

*********

In his haste to usher the children to safety, Gray had left behind his backpack, lying at the opening to the barn. It contained food and water for the twins. It also held the skull. Overhead, the sky had become opaque and dreary.

It began to rain.

It began to nourish.

Close by, the disabled metal hulk lay splayed on the ground. Inside the globe, a dull red pin light sparked to life.