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I found this website recently and asked if the writers accept submissions for stories. Jacob Bartholomew was gracious enough to talk me through the process and even offered to write the story for me, but upon hearing my tale, he thought it would be better told in my own words.
NEW YORK CITY – It was another sleepless night in the city that never sleeps, and I found myself wandering the empty streets, seeking refuge from the relentless grip of insomnia. A late-night movie seemed like the perfect escape, a chance to lose myself in the flickering lights and narrative illusions of the silver screen.
The theater was eerily quiet as I settled into my seat, the only patron in a room designed for hundreds. The glow of the movie credits cast an otherworldly ambiance. Little did I know that my solitary movie night was about to take an unexpected turn.
As the opening scenes unfolded, a soft glow caught my attention from the corner of the theater. To my amazement, a luminous being materialized beside me – an alien, no less. Its form became corporeal after a moment, and it regarded me with an intensity that transcended language.
“I love Earth movies,” it chimed, its voice a soothing resonance. “Mind if I join you?”
Stunned, I stammered out an awkward agreement, trying to mask the unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The alien, unfazed by my hesitation, took a seat right next to me.
As the movie progressed, I stole glances at my otherworldly companion. It seemed genuinely engrossed in the Earthly drama unfolding onscreen. An alien cinephile – who would have thought?
Though the entire exchange seemed cordial, I was deeply bothered by what was transpiring. I quickly looked around for something, anything, to arm myself with in case things took a dark turn. After all, who knew what aliens were capable of?
I suddenly glanced down at my right hand to see that I was holding a very large knife that seemed to appear at the thought of arming myself. I tried to stifle my schock and quickly tucked the knife away into my jacket. I then cursed myself for not getting popcorn at the front counter, just to have something in my hands to keep them from trembling. Sure enough, a tub of popcorn popped into existence on my lap. I looked to my alien companion who was now looking down on me.
“Don’t be afraid,” It said softly, “I am using a piece of technology that acts as a manifestation device to allow me to have a physical form. You are experiencing residual effects due to your close proximity.” It then reached for a handful of popcorn before filling his mouth.
After the movie credits rolled, the alien turned to me with a friendly glow. “I heard there’s a fantastic hot dog stand nearby. Care to join me?”
Caught between fear and curiosity, I reluctantly agreed. The night air was brisk as we stepped out, the alien’s glow illuminating our path. I couldn’t shake the feeling that my late-night escapade was taking a surreal twist.
At the hot dog stand, the alien’s enthusiasm was palpable. “I love these – hot dogs, they call them, right?” it said, eyeing the assortment of condiments with childlike wonder.
I forced a smile, trying to match its enthusiasm, all the while discreetly checking on my concealed knife with my hand. Paranoia gripped me, but I couldn’t let on.
As we devoured our hot dogs, the alien chatted animatedly about its favorite Earth movies, expressing a genuine appreciation for our cinematic art. I found myself gradually letting my guard down, realizing that maybe this extraterrestrial visitor meant no harm.
Our conversation flowed, and despite the unusual circumstances, the alien’s love for hot dogs and Earth movies resonated with a strange charm. It was an experience that defied reason, and as the night unfolded, I discovered a newfound camaraderie with an alien companion.
“Thank you for a terrific evening.” The alien said with a smile. “Please keep the knife as a souvenir of our meeting. As for your problem with finding rest, the manifestation device’s effects should last for about one half Earth hour after I depart. If you envision sleep, it will come to you readily, so get home to your bed quickly.”
As we parted ways, the alien’s glow faded into the night, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The night, which had begun as a desperate attempt to escape insomnia, had transformed into a surreal encounter with the unknown. And as I walked home, I couldn’t help but wonder if the universe held more surprises for those willing to embrace the unexpected. I slept well that night for the first time in a very long time.
Jeremy (Last Name Withheld to Protect Privacy)
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