Lit eZine Vol 5 | p-28 | FICTION | Her Partial Presence

FLASH FICTION

HER PARTIAL PRESENCE
by E. W. Farnsworth

Private investigator Val Cassidy’s girlfriend, Mabel Deuce, went missing during the most recent redistribution event. Val was convinced Mabel was not an extra-terrestrial alien, but who could know for sure? Following the trail of her last few days, the detective discovered an eerie pattern of disappearances among her friends and associates. He also picked up on rumors of his own disappearance and had a distinct feeling of being watched, potentially stalked. He sensed the presence of menacing free-range tentacles. The lurking aliens seemed to be communicating, but he could not interpret their expressions. Was Mabel talking through the aliens? 

One night in a dream, his girlfriend appeared in a costume with multiple tentacles. She informed him of her transformation and invited him to surrender to the aliens so they could be together again, forever. Cassidy awakened in a cold sweat. He took a shower, got dressed, and was determined to uncover the mysterious presence.

He carried his dart weapons, which had taken care of the Scionite alien. The tentacles dropped from buildings and surrounded him, but he resisted until he ran out of darts. Overcome by fear, he felt soft hands caressing his face. He was lying on the pavement alone except for the hands of his girlfriend and her eyes. He could not tell whether the sounds he heard were his or her screams. But he knew he was awake, and as much of Mabel was with him as was possible under the circumstances.