Parables At Dusk: The Parable Collection, #2

By Christopher Besonen

Welcome to Parables at Dusk! Fifteen accounts of uncertainty, each story unique to the next. The second book in The Parable Collection.

 

A bratty girl learns a lesson about the power of words, a man has a frightening epiphany, a warning about laughing during a power outage, a preacher makes his congregation see their versions of Hell, two dogs and an otherwordly tale, orphanages are being emptied and a reporter must know why, two twins stay in hotel rooms of survival, descriptions of a time traveler's museum, a guy ponders celestial marriage, a boy is born to build coffins, a guy with phobias is terrorized, a salesman tries to force Armageddon, an abusive situation takes a Monstrous turn, a new designer drug has drastic effects, a story about the third World War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Besonen Horror
• Release date: Jul 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201985301

Christopher Besonen

Horror with a purpose.

Book preview

Double Blinks

On September 9th at 9 am, sharp, Winslow Franz stepped into building 5000, taking the elevator to suite 15B. He had been taking this route for the previous two weeks, to the office of Dr. Francesca Byzino.

The routine was always the same, sit in the lobby until the secretary, Kylee, took him back to the leather couch, where he would lie back and work the maze within the textile ceiling.

At 9:15, give or take five, Dr. Byzino would enter with a notepad, sit just out of view of his peripheral vision, and listen to him talk. At $125 a session, he spoke with purpose.

So the last time, we talked about your paranoia. How you was being followed by a man of unknown origin. Where would you like to begin today?

Her accent was thick, but her voice had a sense of caring within it. Maybe, a sprinkle of concern.

I suppose, I might as well begin where it all began. You know about my family, medical history, family medical history. But what you don’t know, is when it all began. I hope by the end of today, you can tell me why it is happening, Doc.

I shall certainly do my best.

"I was 7 at the time, on the verge of 8. Was riding my brand new ten speed, with double wheeled pegs, when I saw him. He was peeking at me from behind a mailbox. I pretended not to notice him, but he made no attempt to act like he hadn’t noticed me.

I remember, I was with my good friend James, we were racing. James pointed out a different man, who was staring at him. It was a different time than today, child abductions weren’t a common conversation but we still thought it odd, us being stared at so intently. Only he couldn’t see mine, and I could not see the one he had pointed out. But we both knew they were there.

I didn’t see my admirer again until two years later, after James was taken. He was seeing his, almost daily. Nightly even! He told his parents, school counselor, the Police. They all deemed him a lunatic. Everyone did, everyone but me. I knew he was being followed. Studied.

Two years after I first saw the stalker behind the mailbox, I watched my friend James be replaced. I knew he wasn’t him, despite his urgent convincings. Although every memory was in tact, every expression there. It was his eyes, that it couldn’t mimic. When he blinked, there was a second set of eyelids behind his eyelids. Made him look as if he had double blinked. The other lids were green, with yellow stripes. They blinked from the side, like a lizard!"

Dr. Byzino looked up, lifted her pen for a moment, then wrote down the last word he said. Her lips taking an inquisitive pose, as he continued.

"I never spoke to James again. Heard, he went on to do amazing things in the world of science. He moved away, shortly after he was taken over. That, was it for him and I. It was just the beginning, for the man behind the mailbox and I.

I was on a different bike, the second time that I saw the man staring at me. Double peg wheels, fresh chrome paint job. I remember it, vividly. The man was behind the same mailbox, watching me.

After a hours of his gazing, I worked up the guts to confront the man. But as I got closer, I seen that he was no hu-man. He double blinked, as he absorbed me in. His mouth opening and closing as if a dried up fish. The eyes, just studied. I yelled at him.

‘What’s your problem, creepo?’

He just double blinked again, his reptilian skin basking in the sun, taking me in. Trying to become me. One eye studied my face, the other my personality, my mannerisms. I got on that bike, then I rode home. I didn’t speak of the incidents to anybody. I knew what they’d all say. I was on my own. Completely alone.

During the course of those weeks, I’d keep getting the feeling of being watched. I’d wipe the condensation after a shower and his eyes would be in the vent. I’d turn my head to the empty space between the bed and my wall, or the bed and the doorframe, there he would be, peeking with those eyes. I would take the dog out, he would be amidst studies.

About a month later, I awoke to my bed moving. I felt a heaviness upon me. I turned on the lamp beside my bed, there he was, crouching on top of me! Pinning me down. He had probably been there for hours. Learning me.

He double blinked, then a tongue ran out of his mouth. It was curled up, it unrolled then flicked across my face. Every detail, learnt. But I screamed before it could process me. My parents burst into my room, but he was gone. Back, to wherever he came from."

Did you ever speak of this to anyone, before now?

"No. Never. Didn’t want to. Tried to suppress it.

Even tried to learn sleeping on my stomach to stop the terrors, but he would just turn me over. There was no stopping it. The night paralysis went on for years. I would manage to get away, just before it could upload itself into me.

The battle is getting weary. I’m not sleeping at all, anymore. I have to fight to get away nightly. I find myself dozing off during the day, but there he is. Watching me, as if I am a hamster in a cage. I have to keep moving, but I am growing tired, Doc. Why me? Why did it have to choose me? Or James? Or anyone?"

Perhaps, there is no easy answer to such a question. Maybe this Chameleon Man has to molt? Maybe his skin is old, so he must seek new? Tell me, when was the last time you saw him?

"A week ago...

It has been a week without incident.

The day examinings were becoming more frequent. I was to a point where I could not drive. Couldn’t walk. Couldn’t  look out a window, without seeing his double blinking face studying me!

I’m 5’6, a beer gut, solid 7 on the hotness scale, why me, Doc?"

He was interested since you were a mere boy, yes? Same with James. Whatever it is about you, he sounds like he will stop at nothing to become you.

That’s what I’m afraid of, Doctor. The visits were all the time, why has he stopped. What comes next? I’m full of anxiety about the next step!

Dr. Byzino looked at her watch.

I can certainly discuss it with you, but we have already been here for three hours. Shall we continue?

Next week, Doc. Please. Help me.

I will do some investigating. Be careful, in the meantime. Log it, if he reappears, so we can develop a pattern.

I will. Thanks again, Dr. Byzino.

Winslow got up from the couch and left 15B, took the elevator down, then walked out of building 5000. His eyes darting all around him, looking for the man with his fascination. To his peace of mind, he didn’t see the man.

––––––––

The next week, on the 19th at 9:00, on the dot, Winslow followed the route yet again to 15B.

He was completing the ceiling maze, when the ceiling turned to a thousand eyes of lizards. They all double blinked, some horizontal, some vertical. Each one of different size and shape, but they all stared directly at him.

Twenty minutes later, Dr. Byzino strolled into the room to find Winslow face down on the couch.

He looked up, tears rolling. She was looking down at her clipboard.

I’m losing it, Doc. Everywhere I look, he’s not there. But I can feel him watching.

So, you haven’t seen him at all?

She asked, not taking her attention off what she was scribbling.

No, Doc. But I’ve been hallucinating eyes. Walls, ceilings, books. All are filled with eyes. Staring, double blinking eyes...

He placed his head back into the couch cushion, as the Doctor looked up.

Have you considered that all this, this paranoia of the Chameleon Man, that it could be a psychotic defect?

He shook his head.

"Wouldn’t explain James...

or the others..."

Others?

She went back to scribbles, Winslow looked up.

"James was the first, but he was far from the last. By the time I graduated, I was the only one not double blinking. Same thing in college. At work...

I tried to get married, once. As we were saying our vows, my fiancée blinked with an extra set of eyelids!

They’re taking over. I fear I may be the last. I’ve never made eye contact with you, Dr. Byzino. Have you ever asked yourself why?

I could not bear to see you double blink at me."

The Doctor chuckled.

Pardon me, but you truly are sounding delusional now.

Winslow turned over on his back, eyes closed.

Sorry. I just can’t help but feel like their takeover may be almost complete. I can’t go to a bank teller without seeing those sideways eyelids!

"I can assure you, I have had no experiences or replacements. I would like to prescribe you a medication