New Secret
07-26-2016, 02:30 PM
Natalie was massaging sunscreen lotion on her legs. She wore a two piece swimsuit that was as small as a swimsuit could get. Tucker’s wireless keyboard was balanced on his knees as he was quickly typing up the rough draft of his new novel. A television screen hung off the log above, displaying his progress on a professional word processing program.
They were in the outdoor enclosure of their newly purchased beach house. Much like a tropical hut, the enclosure was made of various wooded boards, medium thickness logs, dried up elephant grass to block sunlight and a vine trellis that reached the ceiling. Glowing sunlight pierced through thousands of holes in the enclosure walls into the cool peaceful area. The enclosure could be entered through a sliding glass door in the side of the house. A high-end surround sound stereo system played out calm surf music at a low volume inside the enclosure.
This was Natalie and Tucker’s dream house. They shared the deed and both of them paid. Natalie earned her living as the director of finances at a large corporation while Tucker enjoyed recent success as a fiction author. Both in their late 20s, they were very happy together.
Life in their new beach house was like a honeymoon. Natalie would return to work in a week so they were intent on going out together and enjoying their time alone with each other until their work lives reduced their free time again.
Natalie said, “Are you going to get ready?”
“Yes. Right now.” Said Tucker. He held the CTRL key down with his left ring finger and pressed the S key with his left pointer finger, saving his progress on his novel. He layed the wireless keyboard on the small round table to his left and lifted his margarita to his lips. He knocked the last of the margarita back in a second then returned the empty glass onto the small table.
Natalie was rubbing lotion on her chest. She said, “I called Sally and she said her and Austin would get here sometime tonight.”
“Great. I’m going to go get dressed.” Said Tucker. He stood up and yawned, stretching his arms and his back with a long reach towards the ceiling. Although he wasn’t on a schedule with his new novel he was up this morning since the wee hours before Natalie awoke writing away, only pausing long enough to get a drink every so often. He looked at his wrist watch and the LED readout read 10:36am. The crashing of waves on the beach could be heard in the distance.
On his way into the house he bent down to kiss Natalie on the cheek. He said, “Lookin’ good.” And winked with a smile.
The inside of their beach house was made of unstained wood. Wood floors, wood walls, wood ceilings, wood furniture, wood everything. Driftwood decorations littered the nooks and crannies wherever Natalie was inspired to display them. An original painting of a single ship at sea fighting the crashing waves of a sea storm hung over the brick fireplace, rounding out the cozy seaside theme of the living room area.
The house wasn’t all that spacious as many of the other beach houses in the area were. Natalie and Tucker were concerned with beach access and location rather than space while they were house searching. The trellis enclosure was an add-on that the owner’s before them had built and it nearly doubled the floor space of the house. There was one bedroom, one bathroom, the main living space and a miniature kitchen-cove half hidden behind the dining area bar style counter. Sally and Austin would be sleeping on the hide-a-way bed in the main living area.
Tucker walked through the house towards his and Natalie’s bedroom to get on some clean clothes. The living room television was on. A news bulletin struck across the screen and the mundane news report that was being shown was interrupted with an on-site reporter standing on a high-rise building rooftop. Wind blew the medium length hair on the top of his head to the side. Tucker paused to see what the special news report was about.
The reporter said, “Zachary Sliks here reporting from a Miami Beach hotel rooftop. What you see here is what appears to be an unknown phenomenon emerging out of the ocean waters.” The cameraman zoomed in onto the phenomenon until the wonder filled the whole screen.
Mr. Sliks said, “This phenomenon appears to consist of an unknown substance or a partially static energy that has been steadily expanding for the last forty minutes or so since a local man flying his private airplane northbound along Miami Beach first reported it. This phenomenon has no forerunner to associate it with and we simply cannot say what it is because we do not know. This phenomenon has been stationary the entire time seemingly unaffected with the currents in the ocean water below, nearly exactly 1.1 miles off the shore. We are currently sending a second camera crew to get an even eye level view of the phenomenon. Whatever this phenomenon is, when we can disclose that information, you will be first to learn all about that right here on KRDX channel 7 news. We have invited a nuclear physicist to speculate what we might be looking at. Jenny, back to you.”
The screen returned to the news room where two reporters sat at the newsroom desk. In all caps on the lower edge of the screen was “JENNY COINY & ARCHEE DEAM”.
Jenny Coiny said, “Thank you, Zach.” She looked into the camera directly and said, “KRDX7 will continue our live coverage of the sea phenomenon without commercials until the phenomenon ends. Your regular scheduled programming will not be available.”
Archee Deam said, “Local authorities haven’t yet assessed this phenomenon but they are in a hurry to study this phenomenon and prepare a public statement.”
Jenny Coiny said, “We here at KRDX7 urge you folks at home to avoid going to Miami Beach and stay safely inside until an official announcement has been made.”
Archee Deam said, “Here with us on short notice is Professor Vernon Sayot, a state nuclear physicist and a nuclear reactor inspector for the United Nations. He’s a member of World Peace United and the author of the best seller book Unproven Probable Physics. Glad to have you with us Professor Sayot, how are you this morning?”
The television screen divided vertically through the center and Professor Sayot was shown on the right side while Jenny Coiny and Archee Deam were shown on a horizontal split on the left side, Jenny Coiny on top.
Professor Sayot said, “I am well and I’m feeling A. O. K. How about yourselves?”
Both the reporters said, “Good.”
Jenny Coiny said, “Could you tell us your initial impression of the phenomenon on Miami Beach?”
The right side of the screen split horizontally and the lower half was filled with a live recording of the phenomenon.
Professor Sayot said, “Initially. . . I don’t know what I’m looking at. Whatever has been forming on the ocean surface appears as though it is slowly growing. The area of the phenomenon appears as though it has several qualities to it and could have a very intricate and involved system that acts as a sort of self-feeding condensed energy drawing elements out of the air and the ocean water. There appears that there is a kinetic nature to the visible energy. There is a lot going on within the phenomenon that we have yet to examine. Right now a team of university scientists are assembling an assortment of testing equipment and they will be flying at what they consider a safe distance to film this phenomenon with light filtering cameras, various ray devices and test the area for nuclear activity. A plethora of other tests will also take place under the protective supervision of a top secret project manager the details of which cannot be disclosed but this procedure will be carried out to ensure that we understand this phenomenon to the highest of our abilities both public and top secret all for the benefit and safety of the American people.”
Tucker was shocked and stunned when Natalie silently put her hand on his shoulder. In that jolt of fright he nearly smacked her on accident. “Jeez, Natalie, on the quiet side today, aren’t you?” He said.
Natalie said, “Sorry. Didn’t know you were so hypnotized.”
“You know what’s going on here?” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “Crazy stuff on the beach.”
“Yeah, they’re saying don’t leave the house until it’s under control.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “How far away is that?”
“About three miles south of here.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “So what are we gonna do?”
Tucker slid his arm around her naked waist with his pinky finger under the stretchy band of her swimsuit panty bottoms then said, “A whole lotta touching.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Raleigh North Carolina was hours behind them. Sally and Austin were perked right up on energy drinks and they listened to satellite radio.
Sally said, muting the radio with the touch of a button, “You notice that? Something doesn’t feel right.”
Austin said, “Like your stomach is turning, right?”
Sally said, “Yes. Exactly.”
Austin said, “Who knows? It could be anything. I don’t see anything to get worked up about.”
The road was nearing a long gradual hill and the trees were thick and tall, leaving a narrow band of blue sky above them with gloomy woods up steep banks on either side of the road. Traffic has crawled to a limping alternation of 1mph to 19mph. The oncoming traffic wasn’t jammed.
“There must be a wreck along the way.” Said Sally.
The gradual hill crested less than a half mile ahead of them. The radio was still muted. Traffic lurched ahead slowly. They made it to the top of the hill in around ten minutes when it would’ve usually taken less than one minute.
Over the hill they could see a barricade in the right lane and special agents wearing smooth high-end suits and sunglasses were briefly searching each car that passed through. When Austin and Sally reached the barricade Sally rolled down her window and a special agent bent down to see them both, saying, “Sir and ma’am, you can call me Agent Zues. We must search your vehicle and ask you a few questions then you can go free on your way. We will be as brief as we can.”
Austin said, “Okay.” Sally said, “Sure.”
Agent Zues said, “Alright. Go ahead and turn off your vehicle, pop the trunk and Agent Kite over there will ask you a few questions.”
Sally and Austin did as requested and were now standing with Agent Kite on the roadside next to a sawhorse decorated with flashing lights obviously set up in a hurry.
Agent Kite said, “Have you seen anything unusual or unbelievable in the last hour or so?”
Sally and Austin said, “No.”
Agent Kite said, “Have you seen any unusual or unbelievable aircraft that would cause you alarm in the last hour or so?”
Sally and Austin said, “No.”
Agent Kite said, “Have you seen any person or persons in the last hour or so who might be so different from normal that you were shocked or that you would think that they might not be human?”
Sally and Austin said, “No.”
Austin said with a laugh, “What’re you lookin’ for, little green men?”
Agent Kite took a deep breath and said hesitantly, “Something like that.”
Sally and Austin laughed.
Sally said, touching Agent Kite’s arm gently, “Have you checked the local bars?” Then she giggled.
Agent Kite was noticeably irritated and said, “Ma’am, don’t touch me.”
Sally said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” And drew her hand back.
Austin said, “No, sir, we haven’t seen anything of that nature in our whole lives, right honey?”
Sally said, “Yes. Never in my life have I ever seen space aliens.”
They were both instantly hushed at the thought of an all-out search for spacemen in civilian cars like a border patrol. Agent Kite wrote some information down on an index card without saying a word. When he was done he handed Sally a business card and said, “If you do see anything don’t hesitate to call this number.” Sally took the business card. She looked at Austin and he looked at her blankly.
Agent Zues said, “Search done. You are free to return to your usual activities.”
“Okay.” Said Austin. “Have a great day, we hope you find what you’re looking for.” He and Sally returned to their car and were on their way.
They were silent for a good few minutes as the barricade faded into the distance behind them then eventually out of sight completely. Sally unmuted the satellite radio and they listened to it without saying a word. When they passed a road sign that said NEXT STOP 9 MILES, Austin said, “Let’s go ahead and take a break at that next stop.”
Sally said, “Okay.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
They reached their break area soon enough and both went to use the loo. When they were done Austin smoked a cigarette while Sally got them cold drinks in the small gift shop.
She returned with cold juice before he was done with his cigarette and they discussed the space alien issue.
Sally said, “I never thought about space aliens. I wonder what the space alien they were looking for looks like.”
Austin said, “Who knows? I guess they don’t make space aliens a secret now. I say that’s the last thing I ever woulda thought of being searched for. Space aliens! What a thought.”
Sally said, “Space aliens are a lot like us I think. They got families, business to take care of, lives of their own to live. Space aliens aren’t going to be a mystery any longer.”
Austin said, “I think might be right about that, Sally. I never thought of that. Why shouldn’t they be different like that?” He squished his cigarette butt into the ground with his shoe then said, “Thanks, my favorite! Banana-kiwi juice.” He drank some juice then got in the driver’s seat of their car.
Sally got in her side.
Soon they were on the road again.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Tucker and Natalie were now fully dressed fresh out of their shower. She was in their bedroom at her mirror, prettying herself up. Tucker was in the living room watching the special news report that was running non-stop all day. A live video feed monitored the phenomenon on a smaller box embedded on the top right area of the screen. Soft jazz music was playing as the empty news anchor desk sat in a dimmed lighting. A text at the lower edge of the screen said WE WILL RETURN SHORTLY.
Sunset was getting near. Tucker and Natalie hadn’t left their beach house as they planned earlier. They were disappointed but they weren’t going to ignore the news agencies’ warning in light of an unforeseen emergency caused when this phenomenon does who know what? Turn into a cyclone?
Tucker held a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a bag of salted filbert nuts in his other hand. He stared at the television. The phenomenon grew to at least the size of a jet airliner, rotating counter-clockwise and pulsing with a slow rhythm. What appeared as swirling of fidgeting wires were beneath the thick membrane, giving the impression of a jellyfish. Spherical in the center there was a thin horizontal disk surrounding it like a planet with rings.
Natalie walked into the living room and said, “Does this make my *** look fat?” She was wearing stretchy pants and a blouse.
“Your *** never looks fat.” Said Tucker.
She put her hands on her waist and said, “Tucker, you’re a liar.”
“Prove it.” He said, smiling.
She said, “Come on, Tucker, we need to make a quick run to the store. Where’s the keys? I’m driving.”
“Wait a second. I’m not done.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “Hurry up!”
Tucker took a bottle shot straight then screwed the cap back on then said, “Now I’m done.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In the car Natalie said, “Put your seatbelt on, Tucker.”
He sloppily did so, half drunk. He said, “It’s getting late. Sally and Austin should be here soon.” The sun was low in the sky.
Natalie said, “They’ll call when they get close. You’ll be passed out when they arrive.”
Tucker rolled his window down. “Stuffy in here.” He said. Natalie turned on the air conditioner then started the car. The road to the store was a half mile of empty road. The beaches were empty and when they got to the store the parking lot was empty.
The convenience store was next to a roller-skate rental shop for beachgoers who wanted to skate the beach trails. Painted light blue with white lettering were the words VINCE’S SEASIDE MART boldly labeling the building.
Natalie said as she opened the driver’s side door, “Anything you want?”
He said, “Condoms. Get two boxes.”
Natalie winked. She said, “What’re you going to do with them?”
He said, “Fill them with sand dollars and smash them against rocks! Whaddaya think I’m gonna do with ‘em?” He smacked his knee then said, “Get me a bottle opener too, I couldn’t find our other when while unpacking.”
“Okay.” Said Natalie, “I’ll be back.” She shut the car door lightly and went into the store. Tucker turned on the radio and found a news report. He was obsessed with the phenomenon now.
The radio personality was saying, “…sunset and now we have some developments with the phenomenon that scientists are now calling the EXTROVERTED MATTER WELL or EMW. The area is now quarantined for seven miles of shoreline and passage of sea vessels and air ships are prohibited for an area of ten miles. Space around the EMW appears to bulge with extra matter, meaning that a density of atoms and molecular structures has slowly accumulated for the last twelve hours within a cubic area that hasn’t changed along with it. The EMW appears to have grown but in actuality there hasn’t been any real growth. The resulting effect of the extra matter being crowded into the limited area bends how the light plays on the outer layer of the EMW so what we see is that the EMW appears to have grown but we are actually seeing is the warping of light reflecting a distortion of what is really there. Under examination of highly attuned scientific instruments this visual exaggeration is easily filtered out and observed. We are urging everyone within the city limits of Miami to evacuate. If you cannot leave Miami then lock yourselves inside your houses and apartments. Stay tuned in for further instruction. The dangers of the EMW are unknown and presently we are assuming a fully cautious…”
“Tucker, we need to leave Miami.” Natalie Said as she got into the car. “They’re evacuating the city. Here, take these.” She handed a plastic sack to him.
Tucker turned off the radio and said, “Yes, I know. They announced it right now on the radio. What’re we gonna do?”
Natalie said, “First, we’re gonna call Sally and Austin. Do you got the smartphone?”
Tucker felt up his jeans and said, “Yes.” He fished out the smartphone and handed it to Natalie.
Natalie dialed up Sally and Sally answered with, “Sally speaking.”
Natalie said, “Yes, Sally? Where are you and Austin right now?”
Sally said, “Almost to St. Lucie.”
Natalie said, “Miami is being evacuated. We’re going to have to meet you somewhere.”
Sally said, “Evacuated? Why?”
Natalie said, “There’s some unexplainable thing going on over the ocean. They don’t know what it is. They say it’s like intergalactic weather or something like a black hole. I don’t know. Ain’t that crazy?”
Sally said, “Wow. We didn’t hear anything about that.”
Natalie said, “Why don’t you stop at St. Lucie and get us all a hotel room? We will be on our way there right now. Shouldn’t take more than three hours at the slowest.”
Sally said, “Alright. We will call you back when we find a room. Talk at ya later.”
Natalie said, “Hugs and kisses. Bye.” She hung up.
Tucker was prodding through the sack that Natalie handed to him. She said, “Okay, we’re going to St. Lucie to meet Sally and Austin. Get your seatbelt on.” She handed him the smartphone and shut the driver’s side door.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Austin and Sally located a decent hotel room and rented it for the night. They called Tucker and Natalie and told them the address. Too exhausted to unload their car right away they both plunked down on the bed with their clothes on and the door wide open. They’d get their luggage in a while. For now they would soak in the peaceful serenity with their eyes closed.
A cartoonish high register voice startled them in their calm stillness, saying something nonsensical. Austin opened an eye at the door to see a short figure peering around the door frame into the hotel room. Not much taller than four foot with an oversized head Austin couldn’t see his face as he was silhouetted with the parking lot lights outside the door and the hotel lights weren’t yet turned on.
“Shhh…” Said the short figure as he walked into the hotel room. Austin panicked severely, trembling with instant fear. He shook Sally but she fell asleep and wouldn’t awaken. The short figure closed the hotel door and when Austin went to get up and do something about it he found that he couldn’t budge at all. He was somehow paralyzed. The short figure walked over to their bed and raised his empty hand. His long fingers were tender in appearance and were without fingernails. He laid his hand on Austin’s forehead and Austin could hear his voice although his lips were still. He said to Austin with telepathy, “I am Noremittum. I will use you to return to my own planet. You will not be harmed.”
Noremittum kissed the back of his own hand while it was on Austin’s forehead. When his kiss was done he stood up then waited a few seconds before he lifted his hand off his forehead. Austin sat up straight on the bed under Noremittum’s control.
“Turn on the light.” Said Noremittum telepathically to Austin. Austin obeyed, turning on the bedside lamp then returned to sit on the bed. Noremittum walked around the bed to Sally’s side and laid his hand on her forehead in the same manner that he did with Austin. A minute passed then he kissed the back of his own hand as he did before. When he lifted his hand she sat up in bed under his telepathic control.
“Now.” Said Noremittum telepathically into both of their minds simultaneously, “We will all leave and you will obey.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Natalie and Tucker weren’t yet out of Miami when the smartphone rang. Tucker answered the smartphone with “Tucker talkin’, this Sally?”
Sally said, “I am Sally.”
There was a long silence.
“Okaaay Sally, what’s up?” Said Tucker.
Sally said, “We are going to Miami.”
Said Tucker, “What? I thought you got us a hotel. The city is being evacuated, you should see all the traffic goin’ out.”
Sally said, “Leave if you wish, we are coming.”
“Hold on a second.” Said Tucker. He covered the mouthpiece on the smartphone and said, “Natalie, they’re on their way to Miami and Sally sounds all kooky.”
Natalie said, “What?”
“That’s what I said.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “You’re too drunk, gimme the phone.”
Tucker gave Natalie the smartphone. She put it to her head and suddenly zoned out. She said rather plainly, with a monotone lack of variation, “Yes. We will wait.” She hung up the smartphone and set it on the dashboard then immediately pulled the car over and parked it on the side of the road. She turned off the engine and stared straight ahead with her hands on the steering wheel.
“Hello!” Said Tucker. “What the krunk are you doing?”
Natalie didn’t answer. She stared straight ahead like she couldn’t hear him.
“Natalie?” Said Tucker, “Is there something wrong?”
She didn’t answer. Tucker leaned over onto her side of the car and lightly shook her shoulder. “Natalie…” He half whispered. “Natalie… yoohoo, Natalie.”
He got the smartphone and called Sally. Sally answered with, “Yes. I am Sally.”
“Yeah, Sally, what the krunk is going on? Natalie is ignoring me.” Said Tucker.
Sally said, “You aren’t listening. Listen.”
“To what?!” Listen to what?!” Tucker Yelled. He heard a low buzz through the smartphone. The low buzz lasted around ten seconds and when it ended Sally said, “Obey.”
“I don’t know what kind of joke you’re tryin’ to pull but you gotta stop.” Said Tucker, “This evacuation thing is serious and we gotta get out of here. Sally, why is Natalie actin’ like a statue?”
Sally hung up. Tucker put the smartphone away. He said, “Okay Natalie, we need to go. Can you hear me?”
Natalie didn’t answer. She didn’t move. She didn’t even blink. Her shallow breathing was the only sign that she wasn’t made of plastic. Tucker took a deep breath and got out of the car, still half drunk. Traffic was heavy on the outbound land and sparse on the inbound lane. Tucker walked around to the driver’s side door and opened it.
He said, “Natalie, why don’t you go ahead and scoot on over, you’re not well.” She continued to ignore him. He said, “Alright alright, I know you’re pretending like I’m not here and that’s really fun and all but we gotta go. So, Natalie, if you don’t scoot on over, I will scoot you over. Okay? Got that? Natalie?
Natalie didn’t answer.
“Alright. I warned ya baby.” Said Tucker. He pried her fingers off the steering wheel. Her muscles were locked and stiff but she was breathing and conscious. At least she seemed conscious when he looked into her eyes. When he got her pried off of the steering wheel he got to work on scooting her over to the passenger side. She didn’t respond at all and that really got Tucker worried. When he had her safely in the seat and with the seatbelt on he returned to the driver’s side and started the car. He said, “Don’t worry baby, I’m gonna make everything alright. Hang in there.”
The smartphone rang before he got the car back onto the road again. He answered it quickly.
“Yeah, Tucker here! Who is this?!”
“My name is Special Agent Kite. Do not hang up.”
“Okay Agent Kite, what’s going on?! My girlfriend went comatose and there’s an evacuation! Our friends are going nuts! Talkin’ all messed-up-like!”
Agent Kite said, “Don’t worry about your friends. We got that situation under control. Get out of Miami as quick as you can and go north. Got it?”
“Yes sir, got it.” Said Tucker, “What about my girlfriend, how do I bring her to?”
Agent Kite said, “She is under hypnotic control and will return to consciousness on her own. Her condition wasn’t caused directly so she’s got a really high chance of no side-effects. Watch her closely and make sure she continues breathing and doesn’t choke on her own tongue. Okay?”
“Alright.” Said Tucker, “But what about our friends? What is going to happen with them?”
Agent Kite said, “Your friends believe it or not are under heavy telepathic mind control to a much greater power than what your girlfriend is experiencing right now at this second. I don’t know how strong their controller is so I can’t make an accurate estimation on their ability to recover once we enervate the situation. I know this situation is difficult for you to take in all at once but you must focus closely on getting out of Miami as quickly as you can. My team and I are going to try and bring your friends back fully intact, so don’t worry. I will call you as soon as the whole situation is under control. Okay? Make sure you look at the caller ID, I am listed as Agent Kite and that is how it will show on your phone. If you answer to anyone else you could end up comatose like your girlfriend, got it? They will get you through the electronics and the airwaves so you gotta be careful, real careful, got it?”
“What about that thing on the ocean? What is it?” Said Tucker.
Agent Kite said, “We are not sure we know exactly what it is but it’s gotta be aliens.”
“Aliens?!” Said Tucker.
“Yes.” Agent Kite said, “Aliens.”
They were in the outdoor enclosure of their newly purchased beach house. Much like a tropical hut, the enclosure was made of various wooded boards, medium thickness logs, dried up elephant grass to block sunlight and a vine trellis that reached the ceiling. Glowing sunlight pierced through thousands of holes in the enclosure walls into the cool peaceful area. The enclosure could be entered through a sliding glass door in the side of the house. A high-end surround sound stereo system played out calm surf music at a low volume inside the enclosure.
This was Natalie and Tucker’s dream house. They shared the deed and both of them paid. Natalie earned her living as the director of finances at a large corporation while Tucker enjoyed recent success as a fiction author. Both in their late 20s, they were very happy together.
Life in their new beach house was like a honeymoon. Natalie would return to work in a week so they were intent on going out together and enjoying their time alone with each other until their work lives reduced their free time again.
Natalie said, “Are you going to get ready?”
“Yes. Right now.” Said Tucker. He held the CTRL key down with his left ring finger and pressed the S key with his left pointer finger, saving his progress on his novel. He layed the wireless keyboard on the small round table to his left and lifted his margarita to his lips. He knocked the last of the margarita back in a second then returned the empty glass onto the small table.
Natalie was rubbing lotion on her chest. She said, “I called Sally and she said her and Austin would get here sometime tonight.”
“Great. I’m going to go get dressed.” Said Tucker. He stood up and yawned, stretching his arms and his back with a long reach towards the ceiling. Although he wasn’t on a schedule with his new novel he was up this morning since the wee hours before Natalie awoke writing away, only pausing long enough to get a drink every so often. He looked at his wrist watch and the LED readout read 10:36am. The crashing of waves on the beach could be heard in the distance.
On his way into the house he bent down to kiss Natalie on the cheek. He said, “Lookin’ good.” And winked with a smile.
The inside of their beach house was made of unstained wood. Wood floors, wood walls, wood ceilings, wood furniture, wood everything. Driftwood decorations littered the nooks and crannies wherever Natalie was inspired to display them. An original painting of a single ship at sea fighting the crashing waves of a sea storm hung over the brick fireplace, rounding out the cozy seaside theme of the living room area.
The house wasn’t all that spacious as many of the other beach houses in the area were. Natalie and Tucker were concerned with beach access and location rather than space while they were house searching. The trellis enclosure was an add-on that the owner’s before them had built and it nearly doubled the floor space of the house. There was one bedroom, one bathroom, the main living space and a miniature kitchen-cove half hidden behind the dining area bar style counter. Sally and Austin would be sleeping on the hide-a-way bed in the main living area.
Tucker walked through the house towards his and Natalie’s bedroom to get on some clean clothes. The living room television was on. A news bulletin struck across the screen and the mundane news report that was being shown was interrupted with an on-site reporter standing on a high-rise building rooftop. Wind blew the medium length hair on the top of his head to the side. Tucker paused to see what the special news report was about.
The reporter said, “Zachary Sliks here reporting from a Miami Beach hotel rooftop. What you see here is what appears to be an unknown phenomenon emerging out of the ocean waters.” The cameraman zoomed in onto the phenomenon until the wonder filled the whole screen.
Mr. Sliks said, “This phenomenon appears to consist of an unknown substance or a partially static energy that has been steadily expanding for the last forty minutes or so since a local man flying his private airplane northbound along Miami Beach first reported it. This phenomenon has no forerunner to associate it with and we simply cannot say what it is because we do not know. This phenomenon has been stationary the entire time seemingly unaffected with the currents in the ocean water below, nearly exactly 1.1 miles off the shore. We are currently sending a second camera crew to get an even eye level view of the phenomenon. Whatever this phenomenon is, when we can disclose that information, you will be first to learn all about that right here on KRDX channel 7 news. We have invited a nuclear physicist to speculate what we might be looking at. Jenny, back to you.”
The screen returned to the news room where two reporters sat at the newsroom desk. In all caps on the lower edge of the screen was “JENNY COINY & ARCHEE DEAM”.
Jenny Coiny said, “Thank you, Zach.” She looked into the camera directly and said, “KRDX7 will continue our live coverage of the sea phenomenon without commercials until the phenomenon ends. Your regular scheduled programming will not be available.”
Archee Deam said, “Local authorities haven’t yet assessed this phenomenon but they are in a hurry to study this phenomenon and prepare a public statement.”
Jenny Coiny said, “We here at KRDX7 urge you folks at home to avoid going to Miami Beach and stay safely inside until an official announcement has been made.”
Archee Deam said, “Here with us on short notice is Professor Vernon Sayot, a state nuclear physicist and a nuclear reactor inspector for the United Nations. He’s a member of World Peace United and the author of the best seller book Unproven Probable Physics. Glad to have you with us Professor Sayot, how are you this morning?”
The television screen divided vertically through the center and Professor Sayot was shown on the right side while Jenny Coiny and Archee Deam were shown on a horizontal split on the left side, Jenny Coiny on top.
Professor Sayot said, “I am well and I’m feeling A. O. K. How about yourselves?”
Both the reporters said, “Good.”
Jenny Coiny said, “Could you tell us your initial impression of the phenomenon on Miami Beach?”
The right side of the screen split horizontally and the lower half was filled with a live recording of the phenomenon.
Professor Sayot said, “Initially. . . I don’t know what I’m looking at. Whatever has been forming on the ocean surface appears as though it is slowly growing. The area of the phenomenon appears as though it has several qualities to it and could have a very intricate and involved system that acts as a sort of self-feeding condensed energy drawing elements out of the air and the ocean water. There appears that there is a kinetic nature to the visible energy. There is a lot going on within the phenomenon that we have yet to examine. Right now a team of university scientists are assembling an assortment of testing equipment and they will be flying at what they consider a safe distance to film this phenomenon with light filtering cameras, various ray devices and test the area for nuclear activity. A plethora of other tests will also take place under the protective supervision of a top secret project manager the details of which cannot be disclosed but this procedure will be carried out to ensure that we understand this phenomenon to the highest of our abilities both public and top secret all for the benefit and safety of the American people.”
Tucker was shocked and stunned when Natalie silently put her hand on his shoulder. In that jolt of fright he nearly smacked her on accident. “Jeez, Natalie, on the quiet side today, aren’t you?” He said.
Natalie said, “Sorry. Didn’t know you were so hypnotized.”
“You know what’s going on here?” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “Crazy stuff on the beach.”
“Yeah, they’re saying don’t leave the house until it’s under control.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “How far away is that?”
“About three miles south of here.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “So what are we gonna do?”
Tucker slid his arm around her naked waist with his pinky finger under the stretchy band of her swimsuit panty bottoms then said, “A whole lotta touching.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Raleigh North Carolina was hours behind them. Sally and Austin were perked right up on energy drinks and they listened to satellite radio.
Sally said, muting the radio with the touch of a button, “You notice that? Something doesn’t feel right.”
Austin said, “Like your stomach is turning, right?”
Sally said, “Yes. Exactly.”
Austin said, “Who knows? It could be anything. I don’t see anything to get worked up about.”
The road was nearing a long gradual hill and the trees were thick and tall, leaving a narrow band of blue sky above them with gloomy woods up steep banks on either side of the road. Traffic has crawled to a limping alternation of 1mph to 19mph. The oncoming traffic wasn’t jammed.
“There must be a wreck along the way.” Said Sally.
The gradual hill crested less than a half mile ahead of them. The radio was still muted. Traffic lurched ahead slowly. They made it to the top of the hill in around ten minutes when it would’ve usually taken less than one minute.
Over the hill they could see a barricade in the right lane and special agents wearing smooth high-end suits and sunglasses were briefly searching each car that passed through. When Austin and Sally reached the barricade Sally rolled down her window and a special agent bent down to see them both, saying, “Sir and ma’am, you can call me Agent Zues. We must search your vehicle and ask you a few questions then you can go free on your way. We will be as brief as we can.”
Austin said, “Okay.” Sally said, “Sure.”
Agent Zues said, “Alright. Go ahead and turn off your vehicle, pop the trunk and Agent Kite over there will ask you a few questions.”
Sally and Austin did as requested and were now standing with Agent Kite on the roadside next to a sawhorse decorated with flashing lights obviously set up in a hurry.
Agent Kite said, “Have you seen anything unusual or unbelievable in the last hour or so?”
Sally and Austin said, “No.”
Agent Kite said, “Have you seen any unusual or unbelievable aircraft that would cause you alarm in the last hour or so?”
Sally and Austin said, “No.”
Agent Kite said, “Have you seen any person or persons in the last hour or so who might be so different from normal that you were shocked or that you would think that they might not be human?”
Sally and Austin said, “No.”
Austin said with a laugh, “What’re you lookin’ for, little green men?”
Agent Kite took a deep breath and said hesitantly, “Something like that.”
Sally and Austin laughed.
Sally said, touching Agent Kite’s arm gently, “Have you checked the local bars?” Then she giggled.
Agent Kite was noticeably irritated and said, “Ma’am, don’t touch me.”
Sally said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” And drew her hand back.
Austin said, “No, sir, we haven’t seen anything of that nature in our whole lives, right honey?”
Sally said, “Yes. Never in my life have I ever seen space aliens.”
They were both instantly hushed at the thought of an all-out search for spacemen in civilian cars like a border patrol. Agent Kite wrote some information down on an index card without saying a word. When he was done he handed Sally a business card and said, “If you do see anything don’t hesitate to call this number.” Sally took the business card. She looked at Austin and he looked at her blankly.
Agent Zues said, “Search done. You are free to return to your usual activities.”
“Okay.” Said Austin. “Have a great day, we hope you find what you’re looking for.” He and Sally returned to their car and were on their way.
They were silent for a good few minutes as the barricade faded into the distance behind them then eventually out of sight completely. Sally unmuted the satellite radio and they listened to it without saying a word. When they passed a road sign that said NEXT STOP 9 MILES, Austin said, “Let’s go ahead and take a break at that next stop.”
Sally said, “Okay.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
They reached their break area soon enough and both went to use the loo. When they were done Austin smoked a cigarette while Sally got them cold drinks in the small gift shop.
She returned with cold juice before he was done with his cigarette and they discussed the space alien issue.
Sally said, “I never thought about space aliens. I wonder what the space alien they were looking for looks like.”
Austin said, “Who knows? I guess they don’t make space aliens a secret now. I say that’s the last thing I ever woulda thought of being searched for. Space aliens! What a thought.”
Sally said, “Space aliens are a lot like us I think. They got families, business to take care of, lives of their own to live. Space aliens aren’t going to be a mystery any longer.”
Austin said, “I think might be right about that, Sally. I never thought of that. Why shouldn’t they be different like that?” He squished his cigarette butt into the ground with his shoe then said, “Thanks, my favorite! Banana-kiwi juice.” He drank some juice then got in the driver’s seat of their car.
Sally got in her side.
Soon they were on the road again.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Tucker and Natalie were now fully dressed fresh out of their shower. She was in their bedroom at her mirror, prettying herself up. Tucker was in the living room watching the special news report that was running non-stop all day. A live video feed monitored the phenomenon on a smaller box embedded on the top right area of the screen. Soft jazz music was playing as the empty news anchor desk sat in a dimmed lighting. A text at the lower edge of the screen said WE WILL RETURN SHORTLY.
Sunset was getting near. Tucker and Natalie hadn’t left their beach house as they planned earlier. They were disappointed but they weren’t going to ignore the news agencies’ warning in light of an unforeseen emergency caused when this phenomenon does who know what? Turn into a cyclone?
Tucker held a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a bag of salted filbert nuts in his other hand. He stared at the television. The phenomenon grew to at least the size of a jet airliner, rotating counter-clockwise and pulsing with a slow rhythm. What appeared as swirling of fidgeting wires were beneath the thick membrane, giving the impression of a jellyfish. Spherical in the center there was a thin horizontal disk surrounding it like a planet with rings.
Natalie walked into the living room and said, “Does this make my *** look fat?” She was wearing stretchy pants and a blouse.
“Your *** never looks fat.” Said Tucker.
She put her hands on her waist and said, “Tucker, you’re a liar.”
“Prove it.” He said, smiling.
She said, “Come on, Tucker, we need to make a quick run to the store. Where’s the keys? I’m driving.”
“Wait a second. I’m not done.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “Hurry up!”
Tucker took a bottle shot straight then screwed the cap back on then said, “Now I’m done.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In the car Natalie said, “Put your seatbelt on, Tucker.”
He sloppily did so, half drunk. He said, “It’s getting late. Sally and Austin should be here soon.” The sun was low in the sky.
Natalie said, “They’ll call when they get close. You’ll be passed out when they arrive.”
Tucker rolled his window down. “Stuffy in here.” He said. Natalie turned on the air conditioner then started the car. The road to the store was a half mile of empty road. The beaches were empty and when they got to the store the parking lot was empty.
The convenience store was next to a roller-skate rental shop for beachgoers who wanted to skate the beach trails. Painted light blue with white lettering were the words VINCE’S SEASIDE MART boldly labeling the building.
Natalie said as she opened the driver’s side door, “Anything you want?”
He said, “Condoms. Get two boxes.”
Natalie winked. She said, “What’re you going to do with them?”
He said, “Fill them with sand dollars and smash them against rocks! Whaddaya think I’m gonna do with ‘em?” He smacked his knee then said, “Get me a bottle opener too, I couldn’t find our other when while unpacking.”
“Okay.” Said Natalie, “I’ll be back.” She shut the car door lightly and went into the store. Tucker turned on the radio and found a news report. He was obsessed with the phenomenon now.
The radio personality was saying, “…sunset and now we have some developments with the phenomenon that scientists are now calling the EXTROVERTED MATTER WELL or EMW. The area is now quarantined for seven miles of shoreline and passage of sea vessels and air ships are prohibited for an area of ten miles. Space around the EMW appears to bulge with extra matter, meaning that a density of atoms and molecular structures has slowly accumulated for the last twelve hours within a cubic area that hasn’t changed along with it. The EMW appears to have grown but in actuality there hasn’t been any real growth. The resulting effect of the extra matter being crowded into the limited area bends how the light plays on the outer layer of the EMW so what we see is that the EMW appears to have grown but we are actually seeing is the warping of light reflecting a distortion of what is really there. Under examination of highly attuned scientific instruments this visual exaggeration is easily filtered out and observed. We are urging everyone within the city limits of Miami to evacuate. If you cannot leave Miami then lock yourselves inside your houses and apartments. Stay tuned in for further instruction. The dangers of the EMW are unknown and presently we are assuming a fully cautious…”
“Tucker, we need to leave Miami.” Natalie Said as she got into the car. “They’re evacuating the city. Here, take these.” She handed a plastic sack to him.
Tucker turned off the radio and said, “Yes, I know. They announced it right now on the radio. What’re we gonna do?”
Natalie said, “First, we’re gonna call Sally and Austin. Do you got the smartphone?”
Tucker felt up his jeans and said, “Yes.” He fished out the smartphone and handed it to Natalie.
Natalie dialed up Sally and Sally answered with, “Sally speaking.”
Natalie said, “Yes, Sally? Where are you and Austin right now?”
Sally said, “Almost to St. Lucie.”
Natalie said, “Miami is being evacuated. We’re going to have to meet you somewhere.”
Sally said, “Evacuated? Why?”
Natalie said, “There’s some unexplainable thing going on over the ocean. They don’t know what it is. They say it’s like intergalactic weather or something like a black hole. I don’t know. Ain’t that crazy?”
Sally said, “Wow. We didn’t hear anything about that.”
Natalie said, “Why don’t you stop at St. Lucie and get us all a hotel room? We will be on our way there right now. Shouldn’t take more than three hours at the slowest.”
Sally said, “Alright. We will call you back when we find a room. Talk at ya later.”
Natalie said, “Hugs and kisses. Bye.” She hung up.
Tucker was prodding through the sack that Natalie handed to him. She said, “Okay, we’re going to St. Lucie to meet Sally and Austin. Get your seatbelt on.” She handed him the smartphone and shut the driver’s side door.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Austin and Sally located a decent hotel room and rented it for the night. They called Tucker and Natalie and told them the address. Too exhausted to unload their car right away they both plunked down on the bed with their clothes on and the door wide open. They’d get their luggage in a while. For now they would soak in the peaceful serenity with their eyes closed.
A cartoonish high register voice startled them in their calm stillness, saying something nonsensical. Austin opened an eye at the door to see a short figure peering around the door frame into the hotel room. Not much taller than four foot with an oversized head Austin couldn’t see his face as he was silhouetted with the parking lot lights outside the door and the hotel lights weren’t yet turned on.
“Shhh…” Said the short figure as he walked into the hotel room. Austin panicked severely, trembling with instant fear. He shook Sally but she fell asleep and wouldn’t awaken. The short figure closed the hotel door and when Austin went to get up and do something about it he found that he couldn’t budge at all. He was somehow paralyzed. The short figure walked over to their bed and raised his empty hand. His long fingers were tender in appearance and were without fingernails. He laid his hand on Austin’s forehead and Austin could hear his voice although his lips were still. He said to Austin with telepathy, “I am Noremittum. I will use you to return to my own planet. You will not be harmed.”
Noremittum kissed the back of his own hand while it was on Austin’s forehead. When his kiss was done he stood up then waited a few seconds before he lifted his hand off his forehead. Austin sat up straight on the bed under Noremittum’s control.
“Turn on the light.” Said Noremittum telepathically to Austin. Austin obeyed, turning on the bedside lamp then returned to sit on the bed. Noremittum walked around the bed to Sally’s side and laid his hand on her forehead in the same manner that he did with Austin. A minute passed then he kissed the back of his own hand as he did before. When he lifted his hand she sat up in bed under his telepathic control.
“Now.” Said Noremittum telepathically into both of their minds simultaneously, “We will all leave and you will obey.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Natalie and Tucker weren’t yet out of Miami when the smartphone rang. Tucker answered the smartphone with “Tucker talkin’, this Sally?”
Sally said, “I am Sally.”
There was a long silence.
“Okaaay Sally, what’s up?” Said Tucker.
Sally said, “We are going to Miami.”
Said Tucker, “What? I thought you got us a hotel. The city is being evacuated, you should see all the traffic goin’ out.”
Sally said, “Leave if you wish, we are coming.”
“Hold on a second.” Said Tucker. He covered the mouthpiece on the smartphone and said, “Natalie, they’re on their way to Miami and Sally sounds all kooky.”
Natalie said, “What?”
“That’s what I said.” Said Tucker.
Natalie said, “You’re too drunk, gimme the phone.”
Tucker gave Natalie the smartphone. She put it to her head and suddenly zoned out. She said rather plainly, with a monotone lack of variation, “Yes. We will wait.” She hung up the smartphone and set it on the dashboard then immediately pulled the car over and parked it on the side of the road. She turned off the engine and stared straight ahead with her hands on the steering wheel.
“Hello!” Said Tucker. “What the krunk are you doing?”
Natalie didn’t answer. She stared straight ahead like she couldn’t hear him.
“Natalie?” Said Tucker, “Is there something wrong?”
She didn’t answer. Tucker leaned over onto her side of the car and lightly shook her shoulder. “Natalie…” He half whispered. “Natalie… yoohoo, Natalie.”
He got the smartphone and called Sally. Sally answered with, “Yes. I am Sally.”
“Yeah, Sally, what the krunk is going on? Natalie is ignoring me.” Said Tucker.
Sally said, “You aren’t listening. Listen.”
“To what?!” Listen to what?!” Tucker Yelled. He heard a low buzz through the smartphone. The low buzz lasted around ten seconds and when it ended Sally said, “Obey.”
“I don’t know what kind of joke you’re tryin’ to pull but you gotta stop.” Said Tucker, “This evacuation thing is serious and we gotta get out of here. Sally, why is Natalie actin’ like a statue?”
Sally hung up. Tucker put the smartphone away. He said, “Okay Natalie, we need to go. Can you hear me?”
Natalie didn’t answer. She didn’t move. She didn’t even blink. Her shallow breathing was the only sign that she wasn’t made of plastic. Tucker took a deep breath and got out of the car, still half drunk. Traffic was heavy on the outbound land and sparse on the inbound lane. Tucker walked around to the driver’s side door and opened it.
He said, “Natalie, why don’t you go ahead and scoot on over, you’re not well.” She continued to ignore him. He said, “Alright alright, I know you’re pretending like I’m not here and that’s really fun and all but we gotta go. So, Natalie, if you don’t scoot on over, I will scoot you over. Okay? Got that? Natalie?
Natalie didn’t answer.
“Alright. I warned ya baby.” Said Tucker. He pried her fingers off the steering wheel. Her muscles were locked and stiff but she was breathing and conscious. At least she seemed conscious when he looked into her eyes. When he got her pried off of the steering wheel he got to work on scooting her over to the passenger side. She didn’t respond at all and that really got Tucker worried. When he had her safely in the seat and with the seatbelt on he returned to the driver’s side and started the car. He said, “Don’t worry baby, I’m gonna make everything alright. Hang in there.”
The smartphone rang before he got the car back onto the road again. He answered it quickly.
“Yeah, Tucker here! Who is this?!”
“My name is Special Agent Kite. Do not hang up.”
“Okay Agent Kite, what’s going on?! My girlfriend went comatose and there’s an evacuation! Our friends are going nuts! Talkin’ all messed-up-like!”
Agent Kite said, “Don’t worry about your friends. We got that situation under control. Get out of Miami as quick as you can and go north. Got it?”
“Yes sir, got it.” Said Tucker, “What about my girlfriend, how do I bring her to?”
Agent Kite said, “She is under hypnotic control and will return to consciousness on her own. Her condition wasn’t caused directly so she’s got a really high chance of no side-effects. Watch her closely and make sure she continues breathing and doesn’t choke on her own tongue. Okay?”
“Alright.” Said Tucker, “But what about our friends? What is going to happen with them?”
Agent Kite said, “Your friends believe it or not are under heavy telepathic mind control to a much greater power than what your girlfriend is experiencing right now at this second. I don’t know how strong their controller is so I can’t make an accurate estimation on their ability to recover once we enervate the situation. I know this situation is difficult for you to take in all at once but you must focus closely on getting out of Miami as quickly as you can. My team and I are going to try and bring your friends back fully intact, so don’t worry. I will call you as soon as the whole situation is under control. Okay? Make sure you look at the caller ID, I am listed as Agent Kite and that is how it will show on your phone. If you answer to anyone else you could end up comatose like your girlfriend, got it? They will get you through the electronics and the airwaves so you gotta be careful, real careful, got it?”
“What about that thing on the ocean? What is it?” Said Tucker.
Agent Kite said, “We are not sure we know exactly what it is but it’s gotta be aliens.”
“Aliens?!” Said Tucker.
“Yes.” Agent Kite said, “Aliens.”