Part 2

The week didn't go much better. There was still no sign of Chad and Sarah was losing it. Tom tried to stop by to see her and make sure she was okay but he could tell that the not knowing that her youngest son was either dead or alive somewhere was killing her. The coroner was baffled with his autopsy.

"It looks like he got struck by lighting." Bill Jones said, taking off his doctor gloves. "But there was no storm here was there?"

"No. Could it have been heat lightning?" Tom asked.

"Well, I'm not much of a weather man, but I don't think so. This boy was hit by, I'd say, a least a thousand volts of electricity. And the circles on the ground in the field show that too."

Tom rubbed his eyes. "I..I don't mean to sound stupid but...is there anyway that a body could be hit with so much volts that they would desinigrate?"

Bill shook his head. "Not that I know of. Of course I'm not a electrician either." Bill smiled and patted Tom on the shoulder. "I'll keep looking into it but right now this boy looks to have been killed by nature."

Tom nodded his thanks and after leaving the building he climbed into his car. He sat there for several minutes, listening to the muted sounds from outside. Where was Chad? Why would Chad go missing if it was just a freak lightning strike? Tom knew it was more than that. Something had attacked Mark and Chad, killed Mark, and kidnapped Chad. But the why was what he couldn't figure out.

~~~~~~~~

"Thank you." Sarah said, smiling as Tom handed her the cup of warm tea. "Did...did you find out anything from the.." she bit her lip and looked away.

Tom knew what she was trying to ask. "Not really. He said that Mark had been killed by a feak accident. Lightning strike."

Sarah shook her head slowly. "But..there was no lightning...that...night."

"I know." Tom sighed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Look, I promise you, we'll figure this out. I'll make sure this is solved, if it takes a life time or more."

Sarah managed a weak smiled but it only lasted a second. "I believe you. And thank you."

Tom smiled and nodded. She looked so beautiful in the lamp light. Something inside of him wanted to get closer to her. The ringing of the telephone made him stop his thoughts. Sarah set down the cup and rose to answer the phone. Tom caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall. It read ten-thirty. Who would be calling this late?

"Chad?" Sarah's hoarse whisper made him jerk his head up. "Where are you honey?"

Tom swiftly rose to his feet and came up to her. Sarah was trying to control her sobs as she forced out directions from the other voice on the phone. "Okay, hold on son. We'll be there very soon." She shakely put the phone back down.

"Here," Tom said, handing her the jacket that had been slung over a chair. "Let's go. You tell me the directions on the way."

Ten minutes later, Tom was pulling up at a dark gas station. The street light was the only source of light and under it was the payphone. Sarah was visibly shaking and her eyes were wide in fright. "Look," she said, pointing to the payphone. The reciever was hanging off the phone. "This has to be the place."

Tom nodded and he led her toward the building. Sarah had told him that Chad has sounded weak and sick and only told her he was at a gas station with a light above him. Tom could feel his own body shaking in fear as they got closer. Dark shadows cast eery images all over the red building. Where was he?

Then Tom saw the figure huddled against the corner of the building. He heard Sarah gasp and he felt his own breath intake sharply. The shivering figure was Chad alright. The young boy was naked and huddled in a ball, shaking like a leaf. Tom walked slowly closer and he could make out dark bruises all over Chad's body. Several deep and bleeding wounds also littered the white and pasty looking skin.

"Chad?" Tom spoke softly. The boy jerked but didn't make anymore movements. "Chad, are you all right? It's Tom and your mother."

He was five feet away now and still keeping his slow even pace. Chad didn't say a word and he didn't look up at them, his blond hair, dirty and disheveled, hung over his eyes, masking them. Tom knelt down and gently touched the cold shoulder. The skin felt clammy under his calloused hand and when Chad jerked away, he immediatly withdrew it. Taking off his jacket, he continued to talk to Chad and he could see the boy visibly relax, like a frightened animal being coaxed. Chad flinched when Tom lay the jacket on him but he didn't do or say anything else.

"Sarah, come here and keep talking to him. I'm going to call the ambulence."

Sarah nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. She knelt down and touched the shoulder of her son while Tom quickly ran out to the payphone and dialed 9-1-1. After giving directions, Tom ran back to where Sarah still sat with Chad.

"What's happened to him?" Sarah whispered.

"I don't know. But the ambulence is coming."

Fifteen minutes later they could hear the feint sound of sirens. Tom ran to greet them and two medical attendents brought a stretcher out of the vehicle. Tom tried to explain how they had found Chad while one attendent wrapped the shivering boy in a blanket and the other readied the stretcher. Sarah just stood back, her hands and face white and looking like she would feint. "Come on Sarah, we'll follow them to the hospital."

Sarah mutely let him lead her to the car. The whole way there they rode in silence, the red lights of the emergency vehicle illuminating the way. The hospital building seemed abdormal and scary as Tom led Sarah through the emergency room entrance. Chad had already been rushed off to the examining room.

Tom filled out the paperwork while Sarah sat beside him, her arms crossed over her chest and her hair tousled. Black circles could be seen under her eyes and Tom knew he had those too. It was almost two in the morning, yet the emergency room was filled with people. Some angery about the wait. Most crying and scared for their love ones.

"Did Chad ever have a booster shot?" Tom asked quietly as he filled out the information sheet.

"Yes, last year."

"Is he allergic to anything?"

"No..no"

"What about his vaccinations?"

"Mark and Chad had them taken care of...too..." Sarah blinked and let out a shaky breath.

Tom nodded and added the information. "Has he had the chicken pox?"

Sarah raised her head but the tears still trickled down her cheeks. "Yes... when he was five."

After the information was taken care of and returned to the nurse, Tom sat back down and put an arm around Sarah as they waited for any news.

Two hours later a doctor called their names and Tom, leading Sarah, followed the doctor to a room in the Intensive Care.

"Mrs. Winters. Mr. Ergle." the doctor greeted them, shaking their hands. "My name is Don Johnson. You can call me Don." The older man smiled kindly at Sarah. "Now for the news. I don't know what happened to your son, Mrs. Winters, but he has had a very tramatic experience. We took some x-rays and blood tests and I'll get those back tomorrow, or should I say later today."

"Can..can we see him?" Sarah asked, her voice barely audible.

The doctor seemed to hesitate and Tom knew Don wasn't sure how Sarah would react. "I'll let you look in on him for a minute. He's been given something to calm him down so he won't be aware of anything or anyone around him."

"Thanks Doc." Tom said and taking Sarah's hand they followed Don toward a white room. Tom felt Sarah tighten her grip on his as they stopped outside and looked into the sterile white room. Chad looked pale and weak, his eyes closed. The cuts were covered by bandages and Chad looked years younger then he was.

"After we gave him something, he settled down. Depending on what the tests turn up, we'll probably have to keep him for the week."

"Settled down? What was wrong with him?" Sarah asked, her red rimmed eyes never leaving her son's still body.

Don again hesitated and ran a hand through his thinning grey hair. "Well, he was very touchy and wouldn't let us hardly get anywhere near him. Like I said before, something very tramatic happened to him."

Sarah's face looked pained and Tom quickly hugged her closer and nodded to Don. "Thanks Don."

"I'll get back with you later, Tom" Don said following them out.

All the way back to Sarah's house, the woman didn't say a word. Tom didn't feel like talking either. What had happened to Chad for that week and what had killed his brother? He sighed as he pulled into her driveway. There was something more to this case. Something alot deeper then murder and Tom was determined to find out.

~~~~~~~~

The phone ringing jerked his eyes open. The sunlight streamed into his office casting large shadows. Rubbing his eyes, Tom picked up the phone.

"Sheriff Ergle." he answered.

"Hey Tom, this is Don. I just got the tests back. I..I decided to call you instead of Sarah."

Tom was immediatly awake and he sat up straighter. "Okay, I'm listening."

"All I have to tell you is that this was one sick son of a bitch." the doctor muttered.

"What?"

"I got the X-rays back. I found two small bullet size metal peices. One in his left arm and another in his right rib side. I had them removed and their off getting tested. What really is weird is that they were surgically put into him. The skin had been sewed up over them. Chad also has several little pin pricks all over his body, almost like a needle had been poked into him. His blood is okay though."

Tom felt his mouth go dry. "Surgically put in? Who would do something like that?"

"I don't know Tom. I'll let you tell Sarah but I'd suggest leaving some details out. She's upset already. Oh, and tell her that she can see him tomorrow."

"Thanks, I will. Call me when you get the metal tests back?"

"Sure thing Tom."

After Tom hung up he felt confused and angery. Who would do something like that? Had Chad been awake during the painful surgery? Was Chad going to be permently damaged by this experience? Tom sighed and let his head sink into his hands. How was he going to tell Sarah?

~~~~~~~~

The day was dark and stormy as Tom walked Sarah down the hospital corridor. Chad had been moved from ICU earlier and could now have visitors. Tom took a seat across the room, letting Sarah sit in the chair next to the bed. Chad's eyes were open but he didn't even move or glance at them when they entered. He was laying on his side, his arms wrapped around him.

"Hey honey," Sarah said softly, smiling. Don had warned them that Chad, although awake, wasn't coherent to anyone. He was like in his own world. Don told them he may snap out of it, but there was a chance that, because of his experience, he could be damaged mentally. Tom looked away and out the window that overlooked the town. Dark storm clouds were coming in fast and a flash of lightning lit the sky. Tom turned back to see Sarah reach out and touch Chad's arm. The young man flinched once but his eyes didn't register even knowing they were in the room with him.

Tom stood up and walked to the edge of the bed. "It's okay, honey. Tom's here too. Everyone is worried about you." Tom smiled. He was surprised how Sarah was taking the news. She was a loving mother and Tom could see her love for Chad in the way she spoke and touched him.

"Um, Tom.."

Tom turned to see Don standing by the door with two men in suits behind him. "Can I see you for a minute?"

Tom nodded and after smiling to Sarah, he walked out to meet the small group.

Don closed the door and introduced Tom to the men. "Tom this is Gavin Marlow and Kevin Youst. They're from the FBI." Both men nodded, thier slicked back brown hair and wrinkle free suits making Tom uncomfortable.

Tom shook hands with the men. "I'm Sheriff Tom Ergle. How can I help you."

"I was telling Dr. Johnson that we would like to talk to the boy. We've heard of the incident that happened two weeks ago and are investigating it." one of the men, Gavin, answered.

"No offense but I wasn't told of you coming. I've been investigating it myself."

"No offence to you, but higher authority decided to send more experienced agents to work on this case." That was Kevin.

Tom couldn't believe what he was hearing. Who were these people to just walk in here and demand the case he was working on? Why had they been called in for this? "Why are you here? From what I know this is a murder and kidnapping case. FBI usually aren't called in for these unless it's some government authority figure that was involved."

Gavin and Kevin looked at each other then back at Tom. "We believe that the young man in that room was abducted by, what we call them, higher life forms. He..."

"Whoa! Wait a minute! Are you telling me that aliens did this?" Tom was getting mad now. This was absurd.

"Sir, we need to talk to the boy and find out what he knows..."

"His name is Chad and right now he's not talking to anyone." Tom knew he was losing his temper. "His mother's in there right now and she can't even touch him without him flinching under her. Can't this wait?"

The men seemed to hesitate then Gavin met Tom's eyes. "Sure Mr. Ergle. We'll come back another day."

"Thank you." Tom said and watched Gavin and Kevin walk off.

"I tried to tell them, Tom. They wouldn't listen. If you hadn't been there, they would have walked right into that room."

"Thanks Don. Keep me posted. If they come back, I want you to call me immediatly."

Don nodded and Tom walked back into the room. Chad hadn't moved from his curled up postion on the bed. Sarah was still softly talking to him.

"Any change?"

Sarah looked up and shook her head. "It's like he's here and yet somewhere else."

Tom nodded and came up to Sarah, putting his hands on her shoulders. "What did they want?" he heard her ask him.

"They wanted to talk with Chad but I told them to come another day."

"They're FBI, aren't they?"

"Yeah. They say that Chad was abducted by aliens." Tom snorted and shook his head. "Crazy isn't?"

Sarah looked up at him, her face pale and her eyes searching his face. "They said that?"

"Yeah but I think their just trying to get the case."

"Tom, I don't think their lying."

Tom frowned and looked at Sarah. "What do you mean?"

"Look at the way Chad's acting. Look at what happened to..to Mark. All of this has no resonable explanation."

"Yeah, but aliens? Come on Sarah."

"Tom, you only came here two years ago. You don't know about the sightings that have been spotted."

"You mean there's been other UFO sightings around here? You actually believe that is what killed Mark and injured Chad?"

Sarah slowly nodded. "I know you don't believe but I do." She looked back at Chad and softly brushed a lock of blond hair from his eyes. They still stared out looking past Sarah, no notice that she was even there.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom couldn't get the FBI agents or Chad's mindless gaze from his mind the next day. Could alien abduction really be the factor? Tom sighed and rubbed his eyes. The town was quiet. People would nod hello and timidly smile at him as they passed. Tom knew everyone had heard that the FBI was here and that a possible UFO landing had occured two weeks ago.

The shrill ringing of the phone jerked Tom back and he quickly picked up the reciever.

"Sheriff Ergle, my name's John. I was told to call you about the metal tests."

"Yes. What did you find?"

"Well, what we found is incredible. Neither me or anyone I work with knows what metal this is. It's not on our charts. We've never seen anything like it before. I'm having it sent to California for more tests but all I can tell you is as far as I am aware of, this metal hadn't exist on earth until now."

Tom was caught dumbstruck. He thanked John and hung up the reciever. The idea of alien abduction was becoming more and more realistic. The only person that could shed the light on the case was Chad.

~~~~~~~~~

For the next week, Chad showed little sign of getting any better. He was now moving alittle but he wouldn't talk. By the end of the week, Chad was sitting up in bed but no smile or word came to his mouth. Sarah was upset, even though Tom knew she was trying to hide it. The bills were rising and Sarah's job wasn't helping. By the end of the week Don told Sarah that she could take Chad home. There was no sense of him staying at the hospital when he looked perfectly well.

On Saturday, Tom picked up Sarah and they went to pick up Chad. Chad was dressed and waiting for them, the bandages and dark bruises the only sign of what he had been through. Sarah kept talking to him and Tom smiled but Chad just stared out the car's window.

After they helped Chad to his room, Tom followed Sarah downstairs. "Do you want something to drink?" she asked, forcing a smile to her lips.

"No thanks, Sarah. I have to get back to the office." Tom gently brought her to his chest and hugged her. "Everything will be okay. Chad's home now. He's making progress."

Sarah nodded and sniffed back tears. "Thank you Tom for coming today."

"No problem. I'll call later to see how he's doing. You know my number. Just call if you need help."

Sarah smiled and waved as Tom drove off. When she went to go and check on Chad she found him sitting on the edge of his bed, looking out the window, his back still unpacked laying at the foot of his bed.

Life seemed to fall back into it's normal routine. The FBI agents hadn't returned and people seemed to become more comfortable and fall back into thier routines. Chad was the only one that hadn't changed. He still hadn't said a word to anyone. He barely ate and hardly ever left the house. Two days after being brought home from the hospital, Sarah had found Chad huddled in the corner of his room, shaking like a leaf with cold sweat soaking his clothes and skin. She had gotten him into bed and the next morning, the young man seemed well again. But Sarah was worried. From what Sarah told him, all of his friends had come over yet Chad still hadn't spoken to any of them. Sarah was beginning to wonder if she should take him to a psyciatrist.

"Why don't you come on by and see him," Sarah said over the phone. "You know how close you two were. Maybe he'll recognize you."

"It's worth a try. I'll be by tomorrow after work."

The next day Tom did exactly that. Sarah met him at the door. Her strained expression told him Chad hadn't said anything. Sarah stayed downstairs and Tom went up.

"Hey, Chad." Tom called, knocking on the bedroom door. There was of course no answer so Tom slowly opened the door. Chad was sitting in a chair next to the window, dressed in a white tee-shirt and sweat pants, his bare feet propped on the chair. His legs were drawn up and his arms were hugging his knees to his chest. He didn't even look up when Tom entered. Some of his blond hair had fallen into his face, hiding his blue eyes. Tom couldn't help but notice out skinny and withdrawn Chad was looking. He didn't look like the handsome young man Tom had seen before the incident.

"Hey there. How are you doing?" Tom asked. Chad didn't move. Tom sighed and let his eyes wonder around the room. It looked like a tipical teenager's room. Several pictures of famous basketball players, a basketball in the corner, and bed unmade. Besides the bed being used, everything looked untouched. Like it had looked when Tom had brought Chad home.

Tom sat down on the edge of the bed and looked out the window. The air was perfect and crisp for the fall day. The leaves were falling and the sky was bright blue, not a cloud in sight. The holidays were rapidly approaching. Tom turned back toward Chad. Had he seen Chad's eyes move?

"Chad, what's bothering you? You know you can tell me. I'm your friend. Don't you remember me?"

Chad remained still, seeming to look past him.

"Come on Chad. Say something. I know you can."

At first Tom thought he had immagined it but when Chad turned his eyes toward Tom and held them, Tom knew he had gotten through. "There you are. Don't you recognize me? Just nod your head."

A minute passed but Tom could make out the slight nod of Chad's head. Tom felt like flying. Chad was responding! "I knew you wouldn't forget me. You must know you've been worrying everyone in town. They're always asking about you."

Chad continued to stare at Tom and Tom could see his lips move slightly.

"I never would have imagined this town going into disarray but boy it sure became that." Tom continued on, hoping to see more of a response. When Tom saw Chad's lips move again, he moved closer. "What is it Chad? Are you trying to tell me something?"

A very soft whisper escaped Chad's mouth. "Mmmark.."

Tom felt the color leave his face and he had to quickly regain his composure so Chad wouldn't see how troubled Tom looked. "Yes Chad? Go on."

Chad seemed to struggle with the words but Tom could understand. "Mark...Mark is..dead?"

Tom felt like his stomach had fallen out. How could he tell Chad? Chad knew something. Chad remembered something about that night. "Yes, Chad. Mark...is gone." Tom said softly, praying Chad wouldn't clam up.

Chad looked away and stared out the window. Tom kept his eyes on Chad hoping the young man would say more but it didn't look like it. "Chad, can you tell me what happened that night? Do you remember what happened?"

Chad didn't move. After two minutes, Tom was ready to stop when he saw Chad nod his head. "Yes." he heard the feint sound.

"Do you want to tell me what happened? You don't have to. Not yet anyway. But I'm always here if you ever want to talk." Tom said, hoping his voice didn't sound like he felt. He wanted Chad to tell him, to close this case.

Chad slowly turned toward him and Tom could see tears in his eyes. "I..I..don't know..." Chad whispered, blinking his eyes. A tear escaped and fell down his cheek.

"I understand Chad." Tom said, gently putting his hand on Chad's shoulder. He felt the young man's muscles tense under him and quickly removed his hand. Tom stood up and smiling at Chad went to walk out.

"I..I remember seeing light.." he heard Chad say.

Tom turned around and saw Chad staring at the wall across from him. Tom slowly walked back and Chad continued.

"We..me and Mark..were crossing the field. We were late and Mark wanted to take a shortcut...My...my shoe came untied and I...I bent to tie it. Then we heard this noise. A wierd..hissing...Then the lights came."

Tom had sank back on the bed and he could see Chad choke up. "I'm here Chad. It's okay." he encouraged.

Chad licked his lips. "The lights...blinded me. I...I remember seeing Mark. The light hit him and he...he fell...I screamed to him...but...the light...it grabbed me. I..I..." Chad shook his head and turned away.

"That's okay, Chad. Listen, if you want to talk, just tell your mom to contact me. I'm there for you."

Chad nodded and Tom quietly left the room. Sarah immediatly paled seeing Tom's white face. "What's wrong? Is Chad..."

"Chad's okay. I got him talking."

Sarah sighed in relief. "Oh thank you, Tom."

"Listen, he told me some of what happened that night." Tom stopped when he saw Sarah's smile disappear and her eyes grew wide. Tom quickly mentioned some of what Chad had told him. "He'll open up later. Just keep talking to him and telling him that you're there. And don't mention that night."

"I won't." Sarah agreed.

All the way home, Tom couldn't keep what Chad had told him from his mind. So something foriegn...alien..had come to Coran, Iowa. Tom shook his head but he knew Chad wasn't lying. Could aliens be true? Was Earth not the only living planet in the universe? "I need a beer." Tom muttered.

Part 3