Crushing Gravity

I stood beneath the rusted awning of the train platform, shivering at the brisk air of midnight. Most commuters had gone to bed by now, and by dark the station belong to vermin, steam vents, and the desperate. The last inbound train was supposed to arrive any time now.

A thrumming frequency began gradually getting louder, and the ground began to vibrate. At first, I had assumed the train was coming, but the lack of screeching from the train's brakes was concerning. Then, came an intense impact that almost swept me off of my feet. It only lasted for a mere moment, but its effects could be seem all along the street. Streetlights flickered off and car alarms began to sound in the distance. I found myself leaning against the pole to the awning, my hand suddenly feeling slimy and dirty.

Curiosity, or perhaps a numbness from a long shift, pulled me from my position and led me to the commotion that was a block away. While a typical night would bring me fear just by walking the city streets this late at night alone, a trickle of other curious people gave me comfort as we headed towards the mystery together. I overheard a couple theorizing what it could be, one insisting it was an earthquake and the other thinking a building collapsed.

A small crowd was in the alley where a strange vehicle-looking contraption was wedged between a brick warehouse's wall and a dumpster. Although it was dark, I could vaguely make out the shape of the pitch black machine. It looked as though it was constructed of a substance like obsidian and had an oily surface that defied the shadows. A jagged crack in its side vented a pale, odorless vapor that dissolved instantly into the air.

Then, the outsider crawled out.

A couple of gasps came from the crowd, some immediately turning away and running. I couldn't help but move closer to get a better view.

It was impossibly tall, nearly 8 feet tall with a few too many lanky spindly limbs that seemed unsuited for Earth's crushing gravity. It remained close to the ground and its body would expand and collapse in rapid spasms. It had no recognizable face, only a smooth oval shaped head. The creature wasn't aggressive, it was profoundly and utterly lost.

The outsider slowly began to rise, appearing to stand on three stick-like legs. It took a step forward, kicking a littered soda can out of the way.

More and more of the crowd started to flee the area, but I stood carefully still. The creature was terrified.

The creature tipped over and fell against the brick wall, jerking violently. A dark amber fluid started oozing from its fingertips where it likely scraped its skin.

The creature's skin began to vibrate, and I couldn't tell if it was trying to scream or send a distress signal. It was emitting a rapid clicking sound. As it continued walking closer, I slowly started moving backwards, trying not to get in the way. In this moment, I remembered every horror movie that I've ever watched, yelling at the characters to get out of the way. I don't know why I was refusing to take my own advice, but I was stunned by the magnificence of the creature.

It was quiet now, few people remained, and those who remained were recording. I stood still and let its aura take over my attention. The clicking slowed and it limped forward, which I again attributed to Earth's gravity. It looked like it was begging for help.

A distant sound of sirens began to get louder. The creature reacted to the high pitch shrieking of the police siren as if it was physically taxing. As it neared the alleyway entrance, the noise bounced off of the walls and only got louder. Frightened by the bright lights and never-ending high frequency squealing, the creature fled.

"Wait!" I yelled, as if the creature had the means to understand my warning. I couldn't help myself but to follow it. It lept over its ship and ran onto the main street. Stumbling over the curb, it fell onto the street. It's brittle limbs made a sickening cracking sound that echoed in the night.

Before it could drag itself back up, the headlights of police cruisers cut through the fog and pinned the creature in a blinding glare. The officers spilled out of the vehicles, weapons drawn and tension thick. They didn't see a dying, disoriented traveler seeking aid, they saw a towering, monster shaped threat thrashing on the asphalt emitting metallic screams.

"Stay on the ground, and don't move!" an officer yelled uselessly. Although its eyes were not visible, it covered its face as if it was blinded by the glare. It raised its hand and splayed open its fingers, a gesture that transcended human knowledge of biology. An ancient, universal syntax of sounds and visible waves escaped its fingers. It was trying to communicate.

The officers didn't hesitate. They bombarded the creature with high voltage taser prongs that struck the creature's torso. Its body locked and it emitted a slow, dying hum. The officers neared its body and began binding its limbs in heavy steel restraints.

With my mouth unintentionally agape, I watched as they hoisted the heavy, bound creature into the back of an armored van and slammed the steel doors shut.

The sirens faded into the distance, leaving only the fog and a touch of metallic scent. The streetlights flickered on, one by one, illuminating the street. Rain began to pour and I watched as the amber liquid left on the street was washed away.

An immense feeling of guilt, sadness, and adrenaline had taken root in my body and I was left shocked by the scene. The outsider had entered a world it could not comprehend and was met with hostility in a time of need.