I am in an insane asylum. I am in a cell for the criminally insane. They say I am a murdering maniac. They won’t believe me when I tell them what happened. Will you?
It was a cold winter night. As I drove up the lane, covered with a sheet of ice and snow, I reflected bitterly that sometimes it is better t live in a city. I climbed out of the car and started to fight my way to the house. Then it happened. It came out of nowhere --- but there it was. It was a strange eerie sight. It appeared to be a space ship of some sort. The ship was shaped like a pyramid and stood about 12 feet high. I could feel the energy waves as they flowed from the ship. As I stood torn between horror and amazement, a side of the ship vanished and out came a creature, the sight of which froze my blood in horror. There were no arms, no legs, no body, just a huge, paler green head. In the center of the head was a deep red eye. Under the head was a moving carpet of flesh which acted as its base. Before my eyes this monstrosity assumed the shape of a man. I watched with complete disbelief as this new face and shape pf the creature burned its way into my memory. I could take no more and staggered into my house where I fainted and fell upon the floor.
I must have been unconscious all night because when I awoke it was dawn. I lay there for a moment until a vivid recollection of what I had seen came into my mind. In a split second I was on my feet and running toward the window. I looked out and saw ----nothing---absolutely nothing. It must have been a dream I thought, a horrible nightmare. But, no, if it was, why was the snow melted in large area of my back yard while the surrounding fields were still covered. Maybe the sun did it. I couldn’t think anymore, my brain was reeling. I was afraid I was losing my mind.
Suddenly I knew what I had to do. I had to go to the Sheriff’s Office in town and report what I saw. I dashed wildly to my car and sped into town. I pulled up before the office and jumped out of the car. I took one step and looked directly at the burning eyes of a human that I had seen created last night. He knew that I knew,With a choking laugh I took a backward step, fell, scrambled to my feet, jumped into my car and drove wildly to my home. I entered the house, bolted the door and with trembling steps made my way to the closet and took out my shotgun. Then waited, for I knew he would come. Hours passed. As the sky darkened I heard measured footsteps upon my front porch and a hollow knock upon the door. With a mixed feeling of fear and relief I ran to the door, shotgun in hand. With a snarl, I flung open the door and stuck it right into the chest of the mailman. He sprang back in horror and I found myself saying, “I thought you were a prowler. You can’t be too careful, I am sorry.” The mailman forced a grin, handed me a special delivery letter, muttered something, and hurried to his car. I quickly bolted the door and opened the letter. It contained a piece of paper. Blank, except for three words, WAIT FOR ME. I made my way back to the living room and forced myself to sit down. I must have dosed off, for suddenly I awoke to the most intense fear I ever had in my life. I was staring once more at the created human being. My rifle lay useless in my lap. I had no power to pick it up. Finally it spoke. “You must not stand in our way. We need your planet to grow food. However I do not wish to kill you as this would create public attention.” It spoke in a low, hoarse whisper, It then gave what was a most devilish grim and said, “I am going to let you kill me, I can easily get another body, but you will have this body at your feet when the police come in 45 seconds. The mailman will see to that. You will have a corpse at your feet and a crazy tale to tell the police about a space traveler. They will think you are mad. Now shoot me.” Some unknown power forced me to pick up the gun and shoot. The police were coming up the walk as the body fell.
An unearthly stranger is walking in your midst right now. Everyone thinks me mad. Do you?
Book Four in Belinda Lawrence mystery series. Confirming the Professor was murdered proves to be a challenge and, gradually, as they get to know those associated with the Manor House, Belinda and Hazel discover another murder and an intricate web of
