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Is Anybody Out There?

By Mark Stigers Published about 19 hours ago 3 min read

[Monday – 9:12 AM]

Okay Frank, I’ll be at the cabin all week — until next Monday.

Can you check the sales list, make sure everybody’s got what they need for the week?

I’ll check in tomorrow morning.

[Tuesday – 7:46 AM]

Okay… this is weird.

I found no sign of a break-in, but everything in the cabin was laid out like someone was taking inventory.

Nothing’s missing.

I’ll be damned if I can see how anyone got in.

Also — make sure Ben finishes his report by Friday.

[Tuesday – 10:31 PM]

Wow… something just buzzed the cabin.

Made the strangest sound.

By the time I got outside there was nothing in the sky.

Must’ve come from the military base in the valley.

I’ve got my phone ready to get a picture next time.

[Wednesday – 2:18 AM]

Frank… it’s the middle of the night.

Something’s moving in the woods just past the yard.

I can hear them crashing through the brush.

They won’t come into the light.

I don’t think my nine will stop a bear.

I don’t want to shoot and just piss it off.

[Wednesday – 6:02 AM]

At first light I checked where the noise was last night.

Definitely not a bear.

And I swear I hear the faintest hum.

Really strange.

[Wednesday – 7:41 PM]

It’s dusk.

That thing buzzed the cabin again.

Too fast, sky too dark to get a good picture.

The way it zig-zagged — that has to be some kind of new drone.

Honestly? Impressive.

[Wednesday – 11:56 PM]

They were out there again.

When I shouted and fired my gun, they left.

[Thursday – 9:14 AM]

Alright, now I’m getting pissed.

They buzzed me again.

I called the base PR line to complain and they swear there’s no activity near my cabin.

What kind of fool do they think I am?

[Thursday – 4:33 PM]

I was chopping wood and I know I heard something behind me.

When I spun around — nothing.

I didn’t imagine it.

My gun and a can of bear spray are on my hip now.

[Thursday - 4:56 PM]

“911 what is the nature of your emergency?”

“Ah, there is something following me.”

“Are you being threatened, sir?”

“Ah, no they won’t show themselves.”

“Sir, I don’t think we can help you if there is no one there.”

“That’s the point there is something that is stalking me. I hear them. They are there.”

“I’m sorry sir we can’t help you unless you can identity your problem.”

“But that is the problem something is behind me I can hear them.”

“Sir can I connect you the mental heath line?”

“You think I’m nuts don’t you?”

“No sir I just don’t think I can help you.”

“See! Did you hear that? There is something that is after me!”

“Really sir? I have some people who would like to help you identify your problem. Why don’t you agree to talk to them.”

“So, you will not send someone to check out these strange happenings?”

“I’m afraid not sir. I must ask you to hang up and stop tying up this line.”

“I hope you don’t hear about me on the evening news. Good bye.”

[Thursday – 7:58 PM]

I was eating dinner and heard something in the garbage.

Rushed out — raccoon.

I scared it off.

But still… everything feels wrong out here.

[Friday – 1:27 AM]

Frank… oh my God…

Something’s on the porch.

It is not a raccoon.

I’ve got the door bolted but the door is glowing and I can’t hold it closed.

Call 911.

Call 911 now.

[Unknown Time – Message Timestamp Corrupted]

I don’t know what time it is.

I woke up naked on a metal table.

All my stuff was laid out beside me.

I got dressed and ran from the ship — they’re following me.

The cops will never believe me.

I’m coming to your place.

I’ll be there in about an hour.

Short Story

About the Creator

Mark Stigers

One year after my birth sputnik was launched, making me a space child. I did a hitch in the Navy as a electronics tech. I worked for Hughes Aircraft Company for quite a while. I currently live in the Saguaro forest in Tucson Arizona

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