Encounters Out There

Frank Brown, Transformation Report for Friday, Jan, 7th, 2034.

As I awoke to my alarm clock at 5 am, I promptly checked for emails. Customer complaints have slowed down since our arrival. I noted those who complained and sent a list to the committee.

Those of us with occupations related to complaints, assistance, therapies, or anything resembling old body problems have received prioritization to report to an online database.

I took a shower, ate breakfast, and sat at my couch, watching the television show a digital clock. The synchronicity of observing a time representation creates a forward-moving mental framework.

The phone rang, and I picked up—Come downstairs, they told me.

We huddled in a circle and awaited our reporting leader's arrival, who assigned us a list of suspects.

"Frank and Judy, you're on sector 4A. Neighbors suspect a rogue masquerading transformation."

The leader handed us a knife, syringes, and wet cloths to induce a fast sleep.

Judy and I marched to the suspected location. A two-story townhouse with a woman inside. She glanced at us through her kitchen window, which alone demonstrated suspicious behavior.

We knocked on her door.

"Yes?" The woman answered expressionlessly.

"Ma'am, we've come for a welfare check," I said.

"Welfare ..." The woman's eyes twitched and resumed inexpressiveness. "Of course, come in."

Judy also stared at the woman, studying her for microexpressions.

We stepped into the living room.

I smelled something. "Incense?" I asked.

The woman shook her head. "No. Food."

"Food with spices?" I raised an eyebrow.

The woman hesitated and said, "Nutrients."

"May I try some of your food?" I pointed to the kitchen.

The woman's eyes got wider. I followed her to the kitchen. Her hands shook as she filled a dish.

"Nervous?" I asked.

The woman shook her head. "Precondition."

I could taste and see curry in the food. We returned to the living room where Judy stood.

As Judy and I glanced at each other, I squinted, and Judy blinked for confirmation. I stabbed Judy in the arm, causing her blood to drip on the floor.

The woman screamed.

I stuck the woman in the neck with a syringe while Judy wrapped her mouth in a wet cloth.

We laid the woman's unconscious body on her couch, brought in a pod, waited, and observed until the tentacles fully wrapped around her and performed a successful transformation.