Blood Moon 2 (Haunted)

Unknown Origins

The unique curves and the deep uneven imprints of the heel and toe told Howard that today was going to be different. This footprint was of unknown origins. His hand shielded his brow from the beating sun and tiny drops of salty sweat cascaded down his cheek. It was hot. Too hot.

Visions of  flying saucer’s distracted him from his work.  He could see a large metallic something or other breaking the atmosphere and reflecting the heat upon landing. More than reflecting it, Dispersing it.

“Sneaky bastards” he whispered under his breath before taking another swig of his room temperature lager. It was their fault his beer was hot. It was their fault today was nearly ten degrees hotter than yesterday.

He slowly runs his finger over the print, feeling the cool mud and trying to analyze every contour by physical touch alone. Mars? Jupiter?  Howard allowed his imagination run wild. Fictitious beings from planets never before known. Cargations. The infamous Xander people with their long eye stalks and hippy clothing.

A smile crosses his face as he finishes his beer and gingerly wipes the mud on his blue jeans. Slowly he retrieves digital camera from deep within his pocket.

“Say cheese you precious piece of pay dirt!”

He spoke to no one in particular. Mostly because there was no one left to talk too. Even his precious Barbara left him alone. She did love him though. Barbara loved him long and hard despite his increasing morbid curiosity towards extraterrestrial beings. She held on for many years and suffered greatly, both financially and emotionally. Barbara finally had enough. She hated his obsession with the “others” and told him to choose. But how could he? He knew he was right, he just knew it. Even at the cost of his marriage Howard continued to search for proof.

He gloated internally. Today was the day. Today was his day! He finished off a couple more beers and crept around the print, clicking pictures from every angle his drunken brain could come up with.
“I told you Babe! I told you they existed!”

A sinister laugh filled the day as he stumbled to his old Chevy Pickup. Betsy. The true love of his life. For Betsy never doubted him and Betsy never let him down. 

Lowering the tailgate he felt Betsy creak under his weight. He felt like a child on Christmas and was ready to open his presents. Cracking open another beer, he sipped it slowly, savouring it. A drink of victory. A mighty Mead meant for a king after his conquering army marched back home.

He tossed the empty bottle into the woods and smiled. His fat thumb smashed against little button eagerly. This was it! Undeniable proof that aliens existed courtesy of  me. The thought made his jump rope and do the hula. Howard like the idea of being famous. Everyone would know him. Love him. He would never be lonely again.

If he played his cards right, he would also never need money again.

“National Geographic, Discovery, Popular Science. The one offering the most money gets it!”  His voice startled him as it echoed back

Through blurred vision he focused on the tiny screen of his camera. The sight didn’t register at first. A delusion only surely. Howard rubbed his eyes and tried once more. The smile turned to a deep distasteful scowl.

Pictures of lush greenery. Several pictures featuring unique angles of a large field full of vibrant green grass was the only thing visible on his camera. How was this possible? Confusion and Anger filled Howard to the brim.

“NO! NO! THIS CANNOT BE!”

He dropped from tailgate in a rush. His legs kicked hard and he stumbled a few times before he found the large print once more. A feeling of relief washed over him. A small chuckle escaped him as he lifted the camera once more.