The Thing from Space (weird tales #8)

Saki was dreaming. A sound like breathing, yet deep and slow beyond anything within experience, disturbed his slumber.

He rose. Stumbling to the window, he pushed aside the curtain. Rain, splattering the window, obscured his view. Saki strained his eyes to find the source of the sound. Dread filled his heart as it grew in volume. He backed away as the throbbing rattled the window. The walls quaked and shuddered.

Lightning lit up the night. A blob stared into his room.

Saki’s legs buckled. He fell backwards onto the carpet. His feet kicked and pushed him to the wall. Trembling, he squeezed his eyes shut. He told himself it was just a nightmare. Yet, he couldn’t shut out the vibration from its breathing which sent tremors into his body.

He prayed and there was silence.

So, he opened his eyes.

They bulged as muck oozed between the window and frame and dribbled onto the floor. It took just seconds, yet in Saki’s mind it seemed an eternity passed as the gunk congealed into a puddle. The eyes were last. Plunking down, they converged and seemed to observe. Steaming, the muck rose. The thing came.

Heat slithered up his legs. It pulsed with a beat that orchestrated his heart till it was booming and crashing. Up and up it came.

Insanity blared when the thing reached his throat.

“Stop. What do you want? Why are you doing this? Stop! Please, God!”

Saki clenched his jaws and pressed his lips as hard as he could. His mind snapped when the blob slid into his mouth.

Two weeks later.

A bell chimed. Dr. Schwartz spoke into the intercom, “Yes?”

“Major Andreski is here.”

“Please, let him in.”

Dr. Schwartz extended his arm. “Welcome, Major. How was your flight?”

Major Andreski gripped the hand and shook it once. “Fine. Thank you, Dr. Schwartz, for allowing me to observe your patient.”

“I thank you, sir, for accepting my invitation. I would appreciate any input from your observations in clearing up this mystery… Oh, forgive me for my lack of hospitality. Would you like some coffee or tea?”

“No need for forgiveness, sir. I had enough on the plane.”

“Well, then, shall we proceed?”

“Yes, please, lead the way.”

“As you know, Mr. Christian Saki, was brought to our clinic in catatonic shock and in poor physical condition. We immediately isolated him. He’s recovered somewhat physically, however, as of this morning, there has been no change in his mental condition.”

“Doctor Schwartz, have you come up with any explanation for the physical effects: the lost of all pigmentation and digestive bacteria, the curing of his diabetes, the cleansing of the lungs, the elimination of his kidney stones?”

“No, there’s nothing like it in medical history. If we knew its secret and avoided the mental stress, it would change the world. Well, this is his room. You may observe the patient by sliding this.”

“Thank you, Dr. Schwartz.“ Major Andreski looked in, then turned, and spoke with awe, “Doctor, there’s four of him.”

505 words