Earth Man by Richard Paul Evans

migraine coming on. The Third nestled into the soft flesh, burrowing deeper inside as it released a neutralizing painkiller into the doctor’s bloodstream. Comfortable and warm, the alien waited patiently for an adversary worthy of its abilities.
     
                  Danny flushed the toilet and after checking in on the kids, returned to bed where Helen waited for him. They had spent hours making love, enjoying each other for the first time in a while. It was one of those experiences that was more romantic than sex but too rough to be called making love. It was primitive, animalistic and spiritual at the same time. She was still smiling lazily when he flopped back down on the bed. Helen wore only an Ottawa Rough Riders t-shirt while Danny had on the track pants that matched it.
    “ I got three different phone calls you know.” Helen said as she sat up on one elbow.
    “ Each one started the same way, ‘ there’s been an accident’ .”
    “ I’m sorry,” Danny started to apologize but she placed a hand on his chest and he let her continue.
    “ I know it wasn’t your fault. But why are you lying about it? I know you lied to the doctors and the police, it was obvious. You’re not very good at it.”
    “ It would have made me sound crazy or sick in the head or something. What else could I tell them? I don’t even know what is going on. ”
    “ But you know something is, right. Even I can feel it. It’s changed you.”
    “ It feels like everything is changing.”
    “ Everything is. But we’ve got each other. It’ll be okay.”
    Danny had no response for that and he kissed her on the ch in gently. Helen laid her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat until he fell asleep.
    When Danny woke up an hour later, Helen had slid over and circulation was cut off in his arm, the new arm that he’d just grown back the day before. For a moment he panicked, thinking he’d lost it again. Jumping out of bed he flexed his arm repeatedly, grimacing through the pain as the blood worked itself back into the stiff limb. Realizing he was over-reacting, he let go of his arm. Once it was back to normal he moved Helen’s head back onto her pillow and tucked her under the blanket. Once again he felt the call of nature and he headed back to the bathroom. It took longer this time for him to go, his bladder muscles were still asleep and the rest of him was exhausted from the sex so he gazed out the small open window and tried to relax. The neighbourhood was still dark but there was a smell of dawn coming in. A hint of winter hid inside the cold chilly breeze he felt along the floor. For the third year in a row he made a note to get the holes caulked up in the old house. Just as he began to relieve himself something moved below the window. Danny tried to get a better look but he could not stop the urine flow so he wasn’t able to catch another glimpse of it. Someone had run out of the trees and slipped along the side toward the back, sticking close to the side of house. The row of houses on his street faced a large creek and forest area. It wasn’t huge, but it was big enough for a child to get lost in. Or get lured into. Danny ran to Morgan’s room and opened the door slowly. He felt his throat closing and he could barely breathe; the bed was empty. Danny sprinted across the hall to Ray’s room and opened his door. Ray was awake instantly, rubbing his eyes.
    “ What the hell Dad??” Ray said quietly.
    “ Morgan’s missing,” was all Danny said before running down the stairs.
    Morgan came walking through the back door just as Danny reached it, forcing him to stop quickly so he wouldn ’t run into her.
    “ Morgan!” Danny shouted, balancing himself on the wall.
    “ Why were you outside? You know you’re not allowed to leave the house, especially at night!”
    Danny swept her up in his arms, holding her tight.
    “Sorry Daddy,” she said, nuzzling against his neck. “There was a man out there. He wanted me