Behind the Clouds2 – Albert Talks

Albert was a good friend. He always listened carefully, and never offered an unkind word. Seeing this upside down version of Albert, is disturbing to say the least. It feels unnatural. Almost sinister.

Forest continues to stare, trying to absorb the sight. It’s a gruesome sight and he shudders. He turns and goes back to the kitchen. All the while fighting an urge to vomit. He can only imagine how Albert must feel. His gag reflex triggers again and he pours out the glass of water with shaking hands.

Now, he really needs to get ready for work. However, he begins to doubt his mental stability, and he considers calling in sick today. Then he thinks of spending the day with Albert in his current condition, and quickly decides work is best.

Thirty minutes later, he’s outside and locking the front door. He turns to leave and glances skyward. Then freezes when he sees it. It’s at the edge of another oddly shaped cloud. Furthermore, it’s bright daylight. He is unaware of dropping his coffee.

He trips down the front steps. At the same time he’s watching it, watching him. And he lands hard, but manages to avoid the worst. When he looks back at the sky, the thing is gone. The sky is empty except for the clouds. He gathers himself, and shakily gets in his car to leave.

Behind The Clouds

The drive to work is uneventful and within the first hour of being there, Forest’s anxiety begins to settle. Likewise, as he calms down, he thinks about what he saw. Or, what he thinks he saw. Except that isn’t what disturbs him. It was watching me. This thought sends chills racing up his spine.

Although it is large and seems to belong in the sky, it wasn’t flying, or hovering. In fact, it appeared to be perched on solid footing. Yet it was in the sky. Furthermore, it looked similar to a human in its shape. Yet its appearance was unmistakably metallic. As though made of iron or steel.

The feeling that he was prey was undeniable. That was what had almost sent him running pell mell for the door last night. And then again on the porch, when he fell, he knew he was being sized up. In fact, he felt as though it wanted him to see he was under observation.

This thought causes a chill to race up his spine. Furthermore, he feels his anxiety building. It just can’t be possible. There had to be a logical reason behind this…event? Could he even say it was an event? He remembers Albert’s impossible condition, and shudders.

Albert Talks

After lunch, the day seems to speed by. Forest tries to do some research for the anomaly, but to no avail. Additionally, the day’s workload keeps him preoccupied with other things. Therefore, not wanting to fall behind, he works to stay focused. Additionally, he tries to convince himself that maybe he imagined things.

The best thing he could do was approach it logically. Do some research, and find out which weird phenomena he experienced. Furthermore, the possibility that it was a celestial mirage of some sort is beginning to feel right. Similarly, this train of thought eases his apprehension, considerably.

With less than two hours left in his workday, Forest considers working an overtime shift. He is debating the choice when his office phone rings. He picks up the handset and does the standard company greeting. Then he pauses for a response.

“Hello Forest! How are ya old buddy?”

Forest has many clients that he is on a first name basis with. Therefore, this feels natural to Forest, so he responds in kind, “I’m doing well, and how are you?”

“I’m doing great pal! Say, listen good buddy, I’m afraid we’re going to need you home early today, we have company.”

Forest is confused and feeling mystified, “Excuse me? I don’t understand, who is this?” He waits impatiently for a response thinking it’s a crank call.

“Don’t you recognize me pal? It’s me… Albert.”

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