We share another long kiss and crawl into bed. Our bodies slide against each other. I’ve never been happier than I am at this moment. I’ve never felt so safe before. I’ve never felt such…love! I roll over PJ until we are nose to nose.
“I confess, I’m falling in love with you, Pajamas.”
PJ smiles and kisses my nose. “That’s good, because I’m falling in love with you too.”
We kiss and take our time exploring each other’s bodies. PJ disappears under the covers, slowly crawling down my body. The rush is nearly too much to bear, but in the best possible way! I close my eyes and let euphoria wash over me. A jolt of adrenaline hits me, and I open my eyes expectantly to stare at the alarm clock sitting on my nightstand. It’s 11:22 p.m.
My heart races, and it happens; the alien awakes and wants out. It claws and scratches with a ferocity that it has never had before.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
I call out, but I’m not sure what I said. I shoot up, rocking back and forth, trying to soothe myself.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
“Oh my God, Simon, what’s wrong?”
I ignore him and close my eyes to pray. Please, please go away, not tonight, not tonight, please, please. But the feeling intensifies, and I open my eyes to notice the second alarm clock tucked away on the other side of my bedroom. It’s still 11:22 p.m.
I jump out of bed. I clutch my stomach in terror and shake like crazy.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
It’s too much. I can’t take it.
PJ sits with his knees tucked to his chest. He pleads with me to tell him what’s wrong. I can’t answer him. It’s hard to speak. I’m so overwhelmed, it’s hard to form words.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
“Help me.” My voice diminishes to a death rattle.
PJ jumps out of bed and rushes over to me. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I close my eyes to the convulsive shaking of my body.
Scratch, scratch, scratch. Scratch, scratch, scratch.
The clock reads 11:23 p.m. Oh my God, it’s not going away this time. This must be it; it’s finally happening. It is coming.
40
The Alien Arrives!
Help me! I can’t breathe. PJ, please help me. I gasp for air, my body shaking with seizure-like intensity.
I try to say the words, but my speech comes out slurred.
“What? What did you say?” he asks, but I can’t answer him. I try, but it comes out garbled. Messy.
“Oh, my God! I think you’re having a stroke.” PJ helps me put on my pants and shirt then quickly dresses himself. He blows out the candles and leads me by the hand to the living room where he grabs his keys. He pushes me through the front door without our coats, without our shoes, out into the brisk January night.
There is something inside me! My mind screams, but the words won’t come. All I can manage is a garbled “help me.”
“I’m sorry, Simon, I can’t understand you.” He moves us down the stairs one step at a time. “But don’t worry, I’m going to get you help. I’m going to get you to a hospital.”
Somehow, he manages to get me down the stairs and out to his car. He directs me to lie down on the back seat as I shake uncontrollably. I still can’t speak without slurred speech, and I still can’t catch my breath. My heart races as the alien punches and kicks to get out.
“Hold on, Simon, just hold on. Siri, where’s the closest hospital?” PJ fumbles with his phone and takes off like a maniac.
I call out again but still have no idea what I’m saying. The car comes to a hard stop.
