The Invisible Hand - A crime novel

Chapter 60

If shadow people have eyes, I'm looking into them right now. The dark blob of a face peers back at me through the window.

I rub my face. This must be the alcohol.

Readjust my vision. It's still there. Looking right at me.

I follow it to another window. Trip on the kitchen table. Sam stays asleep.

The shadow person is joined by two others. Darker than dark. Like they're being projected into the night. All the same size. All the same manner. All moving in unison.

They all point to the same spot on the ground. I look. An outline of grain bin appears. Towers high above the other shadow people. Not sure what that's supposed to mean.

The shadow people stop pointing. Start staring. Their heads stretch toward my window. Like they're being bent.

The heads warp into long threads of darkness. Slither across the ground. Head straight for me.

Words teleport into my head.

Death.

Grain bin.

Death.

Grain bin.

I feel a storm of panic bubble in my chest. The elongated heads are closing in on me. They merge into one as they reach the RV.

I want to pull away. Can't. I'm sucked toward the window. My eyes move without my command. Force me to stare into the encroaching darkness. To watch as the head snakes its way up the side of the RV.

Death.

Grain bin.

The panic reaches a boil. Hammers at my bones. Hugs my lungs. My mouth wants to cry for help. It's locked by a swollen tongue.

The merged heads form a hand. It makes a palm that presses against the window. My hand meets it. Fingers spread out.

Death.

Grain bin.

The shadow hand meets mine. Then, together, we pluck an eyelash.

Death.

Grain bin.

The sharp shot of pain kicks me back onto the couch. My whole face burns.

I look at my fingers. They clutch a nest of eyelashes. Juice from their soggy roots glues them together. I rest them on my tongue and swallow. Check the window.

The shadow people are gone. No grain bin, either. Blown away by the prairie wind.

Pain from my eyelid gives way to relief. It cools the rest of my body. Unravels the tension with a rush of blood.

I fetch a drink of water. Let my tongue soak before swallowing. Take a deep breath.

I'm asleep before I hit the pillow.

*** PLEASE SUPPORT MY WRITING! ***

This story will only be posted on Wattpad for a limited time. If you'd like the full version, head to your favorite online e-book/book retailer and pick up your own digital/print copy. Search for "Invisible Hand Sobieck." Or leave a review of the book on Amazon once you're finished reading on Wattpad. Thank you. ~Ben