Tales Of The Horror Inducing Kind (4)
"How--how did you know that?" said Adrian who was a little soft-spoken. "Oh, I could read you like a book, my dearest pal and buddy," said Lucas with a smile. "But don't worry, you did well." That's only because I wasn't allowed to talk, you knuckle head. The trip back home seemed a little unusual to Adrian, because Lucas appeared to have something on his mind. To put it plainly, he wasn't his normal cocky and brash self. I wonder what's bothering him, thought Adrian. The two made it back to the university unharmed, despite Lucas' antics. When the car finally settled to a stop, Adrian thanked Lucas for another eventful night. He also said that this need not be the last time they hang out together. "We definitely have to do this again," said Adrian as he opened the car door. "Adrian," began Lucas, "sit down for a second." He was dead serious and that disturbed Adrian. "Why?" said Adrian. "I just wanna--you know--talk for a little while, about something important." "--Ok," said Adrian. "What about?" "Listen, Adrian, there's something I have to tell you--" "Ok--" said Adrian. "I'm listening." Oh great, here we go, thought Adrian to himself. I wonder what this could be. Is he bisexual, thought Adrian. Oh my God I sure hope he isn't about to come on to me! "It's something I've never told any other human being before--" said Lucas. "--Ok," said Adrian. Oh great, here it comes, thought Adrian. Lucas seemed at a loss for words. Clearly this was something big, otherwise he'd be able to just come right out and say it. "Go ahead," said Adrian, cringing. "Adrian I'm--I'm not like you." "--Ok," said Adrian, trying not to show his discomfort. "Adrian I'm--I'm not human." Adrian just looked at Lucas for a short while. Not human, he thought. Give me a break. "Nice one," he said. "You had me thinking that you were bisexual and all, but I have to give you props on the joke. It was classic." Adrian then began to open the car door again but Lucas beckoned to him once more. "Adrian, I'm serious," he said. Adrian sat back down. "--Ok," said Adrian. "You can't be serious, right? How can you not be human. You look like a human. You act like a human. How can you not be a human?" Lucas was looking lowly towards the ground. "Me looking and acting like a human has come from many years of me perfecting the art of a chamaeleon," said Lucas. "--Ok," said Adrian. "Prove it then. Prove to me that you're an--an alien." He could hardly believe what he was saying. Of course Lucas was a human. Lucas looked up at Adrian and for the first time Adrian saw a humbled spirit in him. "Fine," said Lucas. "I'll prove it." Lucas quickly looked around to see if anybody was watching him, he then closed his eyes and spoke these words very loudly. "Hung ching gon nee larl vo wacun!" Adrian was beyond startled. What kind of language was that? Could it have been spoken in an alien tongue? Adrian wasn't too inclined to believe it. "I," began Adrian, I--I need more proof." "Fine," said Lucas. "You want more proof. Here's your proof." Adrian now found himself staring at a big headed and large eyed creature. He could scarcely suppress a scream. "Shh, quiet!" said Lucas, as he changed back. "I don't want anyone else to know!" "Why are you telling me all this!? Why me!?" "Because--I've always wanted to be able to share with someone who I really am, and I haven't been able to do that--that is, up until now." Suddenly, it began to make sense to Adrian. The reason Lucas excelled so well at what he did was because he's been around so long to perfect it. "So," began Adrian, "that's why you're so good at--at writing, and music, because you're an--alien?" Lucas nodded. "How old are you?" "Very." "Ok then," said Adrian, who was feeling a little more comfortable around him, "how long have you been on this planet?" "Hmm," began Lucas as he stroked his chin, "about seventy-five years." "Gee," said Adrian, "you're old." "Yup," said Lucas. "But now you have to promise me something. Promise me that you'll never tell anybody about this. Do you promise?" "I promise," said Adrian. He didn't even need to think about. Who would believe him anyway? "Well," began Lucas, "this has certainly been an interesting night. How about we go bowling tomorrow? My treat." "Sh--sure," said Adrian. "Why not." "Good," said Lucas. "I'll see you tomorrow at the same time." Adrian was alone in his dorm looking at the stories of Lucas again. But now he was looking at them with a newfound perspective. So the reason he writes this well is because he's been doing it for so long, thought Adrian. But that's not fair. He's cheating. He shouldn't be allowed to cheat. No one should. I can't cheat, why should he be allowed to? His mind was working in overdrive. Clearly he's going to be published one day. And what about me? Certainly I'm good enough to be published, right? But how would the public perceive my writings in comparison to Lucas'? My work would be inferior. I can't have that. I won't have that! But what could I possibly do? It's not like I can stop him--or can I? No one would be the wiser. I've only known him for a few days. How many people would be the prime suspect in the murder of someone they've only known for a few days? I mean, thought Adrian to himself, the guy proved that he's not human. What if he's checking us out? I might be defending the earth from a possible invasion. The odds were heavily in his favor. Someone like him shouldn't be allowed to live--someone so gifted. I must do this. Thus, Adrian went to his closet and pulled out a knife that he had received from boyscouts camp one summer long ago. He headed straight for the dorm administrator's office. "Hello," said the female administrator. "How can I help you?" "Hello," said Adrian. "I'm looking for Lucas Slaughter's dorm number. Do you think that you could maybe help me with that?" "I can," said the administrator. "It will only take a second." In truth it took about thirty seconds. The administrator had to type in the name Lucas Slaughter and the information had to be processed. Finally she told him to go to dorm number 314. "Thank you." "You're welcome." There were students in the hallways. Adrian wasn't concerned about anyone catching a glimpse of him committing murder, but he did stop to think about something unforeseen: what if he has some one in there with him? Finally, he came up with the idea that he'd just came to Lucas' dorm to ask him to speak in that alien tongue again, because he was so fond of it the first time, which was a lie. When Adrian made it to Lucas' dorm he discovered that the door was unlocked. Typical, he thought. Well, I bet he didn't foresee this doom, thought Adrian to himself. He opened the door, incredibly slowly. No one was down the hall on either side. Lucas was lying there, in bed. Adrian walked inside. He then locked the door. He made his way to Lucas' bed. "Good-bye, you egotistical son-of-a--" He took the knife and slit Lucas' throat right then and there. Lucas convulsed, but his eyes remained closed. Red blood oozed from the wound. His blood is red, Adrian thought. Maybe it's just because he's in chamealeon form. Lucas stopped convulsing. He checked his pulse. Lucas was most definitely dead. He smiled to himself, wiped off the knife on his bed sheets, and hurriedly made his way out of the dorm. "The case regarding young Lucas Slaughter," said the reporter, "is still pending as police have yet to name a suspect in the murder." In other news... What I did I did for the safety of the human race, thought Adrian. And, for my own profit. I couldn't possibly let him best me. Adrian thought himself completely justified, that is, up until a thought came to his mind that he didn't foresee. But wait a minute, what have I done, thought Adrian to himself. What was I thinking? God help us. I may have started an interstellar war! Sir Vincent DeGalle Valentine was putting the finishing touches on his conclusion to Adrian Belfast's "The Rivals." By now it had stopped raining to the degree of which it was earlier, though the rain was still coming down somewhat... Ah, there's nothing like a good murder story to get my blood pumping, and one that contained such a twist as "The Rivals" deserves even greater recognition. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It had its moments, such as the hilarious sections where Adrian--the protagonist--would remark inwardly concerning a characteristic of Lucas'. Yes, "The Rivals" could be likened as a pearl set amongst a host of clam shells, the clam shells not being the stories in this anthology, but other stories that are similar in nature to this one. Perhaps now it would be best to share with the reader some of the added information that was sent along with the story. Just like with the stories "The Centipedes" and "Those Omnipresent Eyes", Adrian Belfast sent to me how this story originated. Would you believe that Adrian claims that these events were inspired by reality? The only difference is that the name of the protagonist and author is not the real name of the person who committed these acts. Yet still, if these circumstances were real, then why would the killer write a story about them and send them to a potentially widespread audience? Perhaps the thought never entered his mind, or perhaps he made it all up... A cold wind blew Valentine's study window open and rain began to situate itself throughout the room. He quickly made himself busy closing it... Now where was I? Oh yes! It is my belief that Adrian Belfast's "The Rivals" will be a treasure among all those who purchase this anthology. I hope that it resonates with you just as well as it has resonated with me. Now, on to our next story. Suddenly, Valentine was caught off guard by a knock being made on the door to his study. Strange, he thought. Just like last time. He hastily made his way toward the door. "Martha, is that you?" said Valentine. He opened the door and was taken aghast. There, behind the door, stood a man, a giant centipede, and a big, bulging pair of eyes. "Who told you we wanted to be immortalized in your anthology?" said the man. Valentine backed away from them. He was in despair and couldn't find the words to say. They rose up against him and Sir Vincent DeGalle Valentine was never heard from again.
Copyright © 2004 Michael Harris |