Arteons: AARUSHIE AKS BALI - Project B [start]

Story and Illustration layouts

THE VISITORS FROM OUTER SPACE

By: Michael Heitkemper

I rested upon the big rock in my back yard, and star gazed. It was so relaxing. I often loved to spend my evenings that way, but little did I know that night would be different.

As I laid there, examining the brightness of different stars, I noticed a star that did not appear to be on my constellation map. It confused me in an exciting way. Perhaps I had discovered a new star? I kept watching the star in question, and soon noticed that its light appeared to be fading in and out.

I didn’t take my sight from the blinking light for even a second. And the more I examined, the more I realized that the light was getting closer at a steady speed. It was seemingly heading straight for me.

Although I felt silly to be so; I was frightened. I guess it was because no one was there to reassure me that it was nothing to be afraid of and that the star going into supernova, or my eyes playing tricks on me. Anything would have been better than the fear that was overtaking me. But I was the only one in at least ten miles. That’s the life of living in a desert plain.

I tried to reassure myself the light meant nothing, but it was to no avail. The more that I watched the light, the closer it came into view. It seemed the light was not a star, it was an object; an alien space craft. I had heard of such a thing before, but never chose to believe in it. But then, with the proof right before my eyes, about to land in my backyard, I had no choice to become a believer.

I quickly dived behind the large rock. I could see my home off in the distance. I could have made a mad dash, possibly without being seen. But I didn’t even try. Oddly it wasn’t the fear that held me back. It was just my curiosity outweighing my fear.

I peeked over the top of the rock and found an extraordinary sight. The ship was landing, not even a hundred feet from me. I kept watching. The landing gear, two large metallic legs made its way onto the sandy ground. With a burst of powdery dust swirling from the thrusters, the space ship landed.

The ship was huge; at best estimate, fifty times the size of my home. I wondered if perhaps my very distant neighbors could see it.

Several minutes passed, and all I could do was watch the sitting space craft. Nothing was happening. I wondered what was taking place inside the space ship, and if there was any beings inside of it.

Suddenly, a small door opened up & I knew that the aliens were coming out when a ladder was extended down.

I lowered myself behind the rock. I didn’t want to see what happened next. I was scared out of my mind, cursing myself why I didn’t run home. I was there, and was going to stay put.

I peeked over the top of the rock one more time, and I saw them. There were two of them. Both were pale as ghosts, and their bodies were large and bulky. They moved slow across the plain, bouncing rather than walking. They had four appendages that appeared awkward to use. It was no wonder they were so slow. And they appeared harmless. Not a sharp edge amongst their bodies. No claws or fangs, or any defensive appendages. But most captivating was their faces. They were smooth and shiny. I would swear that if I were close enough I could see my own reflection in their very face. Perhaps a confusing measure they use against predators?

I watched the two aliens for some time. They didn’t seem to notice that I was there. They communicated with each other with gestures in a very unusual manner. They knelt down and played in the dirt for some time. I couldn’t tell what they were doing from my view. Hours passed while I watched them playing in my back yard with an oddly decorated staff. And then, like their time there had run out, they climbed back into their space ship, leaving their staff in the dirt. Suddenly the ship began to make an eerie noise. Steam and air shot out from the sides of the space ship, and it suddenly split into two pieces: a bottom and a top half. It looked like something had gone wrong. The ship looked doomed as it flew up into space, leaving its landing gear behind in my backyard. I watched the spaceship’s lights as it flew away. I expected to see it fall and crash to the ground, but instead, it disappeared from my sight.

I stepped out from my hiding. I couldn’t believe it. With what the aliens had left behind, there was no doubt that everyone I told was going to believe my story. I was going to be famous.

I had to get closer to the piece of the ship that was left behind. It was so strange to be standing so close to something like that. It was cold and hard; made of a material that I had never seen before. It was unique in over a thousand ways. I found a panel on the side of the ship with some strange alien markings all over it. I had no idea what it said, but it looked like this: APOLLO 11

First frame: The creature realizes that the blinking light doesn't lie on its constellation map. As it came closer it became clear that it was not a star but instead it was a spaceship.