Finally, they have come. You stand in the crowd with half awe, and half terror. The small, otherworldly creatures approach the group of people who stand with you, gawking. Apparently, they also have been awakened by the creatures on this dark, moonless night.

Suddenly and simultaneously, you and your neighbors double in pain. A buzzing fills your ears. Through a haze, your eyes are drawn to and held by a small, bulbous-eyed creature. You feel a strange sensation of opening your mind to him.

Soundlessly, he speaks to you. "Do not struggle," says a voice that up until now you would have called your conscience. "We are here," it continues. "There will be change. Conform or be destroyed of."

A large man in front of you raises a clenched fist. "We are strong!" he screams, and swings a muscular arm in the air.

"Strength is in the mind," It states.

You see the man clutch his head which suddenly wells and begins to bleed. The man falls and writhes on blood-stained grass.

Your gaze is still held by the alien. Once again, it speaks, or thinks, to you. "Resistance leads only to death," It states. "Conform or be disposed of. What is your choice?"

You feel as if its attention is centered only on you. Your cringe at the thought.

"What is your choice?" it repeats impatiently. "Anything but full cooperation will not be tolerated."

You must answer. "But what if-" you stammer.

"You have chosen."

The buzzing fills your ears as your 'Gustavis' hat gradually tightens.

Are you feeling independent yet? If not, you can read Part 2. Otherwise, please click here to go back to my main page, here to go back to my menu of literature, or here to go to GeoCities.