Chapter 4: The Visitor

Story advancement

A.J. stared at Delores, eyes wide and studying her face for a response. "Well," A.J. said. "Do you see it?"

The girls stood at the window, speechless. Below them they could make out the faint silhouette of a crawler. Only it wasn't the normal sight they were used to. Something different was happening. This crawler wasn't moving. He was a bald old man, bony, his clothing all but missing. His head was involuntarily cocked to the side and one detached ear dangled from his face over his shoulder. He wasn't hissing or making any sound.

"What is he doing?" Delores whispered.

"I don't know," A.J. answered. "He's not....he's not dead is he?"

"No, " Delores said. "He looks pretty much undead to me."

The girls observed the crawler for another minute, not saying a word. In the distance the clouds began to rumble ominously. Rolling thunder raced through the atmosphere and suddenly the sky opened its gates, unleashing a downpour onto the Earth. The crawler stayed there, frozen in his helpless position, like a prisoner resigned to accept his beating. As the moments passed, water filled in around him. He was a statue among the flood.

By nightfall the rain ended and the house began its usual ritual of becoming alive. Eager to check the status of the mysterious crawler, the roommates rushed to the window that had previously kept them in a state of awe. He was still there. 

"What?!" A.J. exclaimed. "But it's dark! Why isn't he leaving?"

"I think there is something wrong with him."

"Well thanks for that insight, Captain Obvious." Even A.J. surprised herself just then with her own snark.

"Should we go tell Andy?"