By way of introduction, E. W. Farnsworth is widely published online and in print. His horror collections include "The Black Marble Griffon" and Other Disturbing Tales and "Firstborn" and Other Stories and Poems of Horror. For further information about the author and his works, please see http://www.ewfarnsworth.com.
HER PARTIAL PRESENCE ON ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
by
E. W. Farnsworth
Private investigator Val Cassidy’s associate and girlfriend Mabel Deuce went missing during the most recent alien 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, leading up to St. Valentine's Day, the detective discovered an eerie pattern of disappearances among her friends and associates. He also detected rumors of his own disappearance.
Val had the distinct feeling he was being shadowed, perhaps 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 to him through the aliens?
On the eve of St. Valentine's Day in a dream his girlfriend appeared in a costume of numerous tentacles. She informed him of her transformation and invited him to surrender to the aliens so they could be together again, forever. She told him it would be a very special way to celebrate the saint's day. Cassidy awakened in a cold sweat. He showered and dressed, determined to penetrate the alien 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 overwhelming force, he fell under the weight of numerous free-range tentacles. He felt soft suckers caressing his face.
Hallucinating, he saw hearts etched in blood on the sidewalks. Recovering for a moment, he fancied he was lying on the pavement alone except for the tentacles of his girlfriend and her terrified eyes. He could not tell whether the sounds he heard were his or Mabel's screams. But he knew he was awake, and as much of Mabel was with him as was possible for St. Valentine's Day under the circumstances.