Subterranean Squirrels

By

Sean McCabe

Epilogue

The well dressed young man walked quietly down the aisle of the small stationary store. He seemed interested in the leather bound ledgers that lined this particular row. He picked one up, leafed through it briefly and seemed pleased with it. That done he took his find up to the front of the store where he laid it upon the counter in front of a young girl dressed in all black who’s name tag read Kirsten. He purchased this good sized elegant looking book, paying with cash. That done he thanked the young pretty girl with the blue highlights in her dark hair in a soft spoken and polite voice, and walked out the front of the store. He was forgotten by the girl a moment later as she turned her green eyes back to her book. And that is where he left her story forever.

Part 1: On The Precipice

“You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet.”
-Hal Borland

“There are over three hundred and fifty varieties of squirrels, ranging from the smallest African pygmy squirrels at five inches in length to the giant Asian squirrels at over three feet in length.”

November 1 2008

Ah a new journal, a fresh book, and a new start to the year, art least as far as  journal writing is concerned. Though I am as of yet the only one to read these words, I hope one day to pass them on to a loved one. To a wife, a child, or perhaps even a grand child. One day to have them sit with me and read the words I have written on this day, so prosaic at the time, but perhaps filled with great import when applied to some future event in some distant time! Well that is my fondest dream for these writings at least.

For now though we shall stick to the subject for which this journal is intended to follow, that being my life. The life of a simple humble man making his way through a world full of equal parts joy and tribulation. First, as I usually do when starting a fresh journal, I shall tell you a bit about myself.

My name is Charles Woodrow Saint Gertrude I am a simple man in my thirty second year of life. I stand an even six feet tall and weigh in at a slim one hundred and fifty five pounds. My hair is a light shade of brown bordering on blonde and is beginning to thin a tad. I have grayish blue eyes that are covered by round, silver, spectacles that I wear almost all the time. My face is blade thin with sharp cheek bones and a roundish jaw. My style of dress tends towards a more formal state than most of my contemporaries but that is how I feel most comfortable. I tend to wear a dress shirt and cotton trousers on my days at rest, those being mostly weekends and holidays as I abhor the aimlessness brought on by extended vacation time. I wear a full suit and tie when at my job, which is in the accounting firm of a prestigious literary publishing company.

My job is the next area of my life I will introduce you to here, as it is often a subject which you will read about in a more in depth way as you make your way through these pages. I work for Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing in New York City. As glamorous and exciting as that might sound I am but a simple accountant for this prominent company. Still I enjoy my work and am one of the so called ‘up and comers’ in the accounting department. I expect to see my hard work rewarded with a raise and even a promotion in a very short time. Even if that were not so I would have an ulterior motive for staying where I am currently employed and that is Susan.

Each department has a receptionist to man the front desk. They direct calls, receive mail for the department, send visitors off to the correct location and stop unwanted callers from further ingress. Susan Ecureuil is ours. She is Cerberus to our Hades. I jest of course, as there is nothing of ‘the dog’ about her. She walks in beauty as the poem says. She is grace and poise and elegance. With long flowing chestnut hair, big radiant green eyes, and a pale smooth skin like that of a china doll. She is the reason that I believe in love. And better yet she doth not know her true beauty. She keeps it hidden away; her hair is tied tightly behind her head in a staid bun. Her eyes seem dull and artificially distended behind a pair of thick unfashionable glasses. Yet I see her. I see.

My apologies dear reader, I lose my sense within the extremes of my passion for the glorious Susan. I shall continue on as if that lapse in concentration had not happened. For indeed it was but a temporary lapse. The last subject we need tackle before I launch into the adventures of my day to day life is that of my family. There is not much to tell on this subject dear friends, as I have but a father and a mother and no others to call family. No siblings, nor aunt, nor uncles. Alas even my dear grandparents perished long before I was born. As it stands there are but the three of us, mother, father and I. Still we are happy, I call once weekly to share my joys and sorrows with them. Mostly joys dear reader, fear not. Much as parents are wont to do they dote on me and treat me as if I am the pinnacle of what a child could be and I in turn love them as only a child could love a parent.

That dear friends is as they say that. My life, in a nutshell as it were. I am, as I said earlier, a simple man with a simple life. I promise that the next entries you read here will be less about whom I have been and more about who I am, and who I am becoming. In other words these entries will describe my life.

Today was a Saturday and as a result was spent at home in quiet contemplation. Of course by ‘quiet contemplation’ I mean that I went to the local pub for a pint. I am, I admit with no small amount of pride, the local pub’s trivia king. Every Saturday night there is a trivia contest pulling questions from History, Geography, Literature, and Politics and I am the reigning master of these and other esoteric subjects. Though my opponent was, as usual, a drunken lay about with little of the mental capacity needed to defeat me in this competition I let a few questions go by unanswered so as to maintain the audience’s suspense. As usual though I was able pull off a resounding victory in the end accompanied by the cheers of my bar going peers. The prize for my mastery of trivia is paltry, a free drink which I invariably use the next week as I rarely drink more than one pint in a night, but the reward of my fellow patron’s adulation is worth much more than the pub’s trivia entry fee. After such a rousing fun filled eve I returned to my humble apartment and updated this book for your edification dear reader. Now I sleep. Until anon.

November 2, 2008

Today is Sunday. God’s day if you’re the religious type. I myself am not. I was not raised to believe in anyone save me, myself, and I. As a result I spend Sundays sleeping in to the unsightly late hour of nine in the morning, before making myself a full breakfast of poached eggs and wheat toast. After that I spend most of the day cleaning my apartment and going over my own writings. I have been keeping these journals since I was sixteen and started my first job. At the time I worked in a library and my writings were mostly about my adolescent urges. How far I’ve come since those days.

Now it is almost ten at night, time to read for a spell and then it is off to the land of Nod for me. Until anon dear reader.

November 3, 2008

A fairly normal day for me dear fiends. It started as usual at precisely half past six in the morning. I awoke crisply and rose from my bed immediately. I am not the type to lollygag. I showered, shaved, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair as I do every morning and then sat down do my usual breakfast. One bowl of bran cereal and a cup of herbal tea later and I was out the door, making sure to double check the lock before heading down my front steps.

I headed down the street breathing deep the autumn air. I enjoyed my short walk to the subway station, as I normally do, and arrived with time to spare. I headed down to my platform and stood awaiting my train. As normal for my stop at this time of day there were no other pedestrians making the wait with me. I normally leave my house at such an early hour to avoid such people as one tends to see on public transit during rush hour.

As the train pulled into the station I saw a small furry creature scurry into the dark corners of the subway tunnel and disappear into the darkness. Though I do not enjoy either the people or the general sanitary upkeep of the subway system in our city I know that public transit is both the most cost effective and most environmentally friendly method of travel available in our urban landscape. That being said the one thing I cannot abide about the subway system, indeed about this city in general is the rodents. I do not divide my disgust based upon the species of rodent in question, nor upon its station in life, indeed do I abjure them all from the largest most disgusting rat to the smallest fuzziest little squirrel. I hate them all.

The rest of my commute to work was far more pleasant I sat mostly alone and completely unmolested for the entire trip and enjoyed the latest in a series of mystery novels I have been reading. One short ride later and I was let off from my train with only a short jaunt up the stairs from my subway platform and a second short trip to the front door of my office, which stands less than two blocks away from the station.

As is my usual habit I arrive at the office just past quarter after eight and nod hello to the two security guards positioned in the front lobby of my building. I then head into the elevator and ride up to my department on the 14th floor. As I am the first to arrive I turn on the lights and start the coffee maker in the break room. I don’t touch the stuff myself, I prefer to be ‘high on life’ as the saying goes, but I always start the machine for the ‘wage slaves’ who come in after me. I know how much they rely on their first cup of coffee to make it through their mornings.

After these tasks are done I sit down at my desk and start work. The beauty of my position here is that I may start a might early so that I may leave early as well. This affords me the chance to take the subway at a more decent and less crowded hour on both ends of my commute. As I value my ‘alone time’ whilst traveling to and from work I am most happy at this small perk my job gives me.

To start my shift for the day I boot up my computer and log in to our computer system. I checked my email, as today is a Monday I did have quite a few things that needed my attention. Still due to my early waking habits I had completed the work sent to my electronically and was able to start my day in earnest just as the rest of the crew was arriving to start the day.

As for work itself there is not over much to report to you dear reader. I spent my morning going over the many numbers needed to keep a company of this size ‘in the red’ as they say. The only moment of excitement came before lunch.

I was leaving to take lunch, a peanut butter and grape jam sandwich, on wheat bread, an apple and a small thermos full of non-fat milk, when I saw her. My lady most fair. Susan was manning her desk as is her duty; she is as hard working and concerted as I myself am.  As I walked through the door headed for the elevator, and eventually the small park near my office, I noticed my sweet Susan look up and smile a greeting at me. I made a vow then and there that I would speak to her; finally give her some clue as to how I felt, before the day was out. Yes it is true gentle reader, I have no as of yet let this wondrous creature know of my true feelings for her. Still within the chambers of my heart I feel that she somehow knows the depth of my emotions.

Alas tragedy struck whilst I was at lunch and averted any chance that I would have the nerve to speak to my goddess. As I sat delving further into my book a random squirrel scurried overhead knocking an astounding amount of rain water off the leaves that festooned the tree over my head. This water soaked my hair, book, glasses, and worst of all the front of my favorite tan trousers. I was aghast. Of course a woman like Susan would not find humor in such an unfortunate turn of events but the rest of the philistines at our office were likely to imply that I had accidentally wet myself. There was also no time to properly clean and dry myself before returning to work as the ill fated turn of events took place mere minutes before returning from my lunch hour.

I quickly packed up the remains of my lunch and dried myself off as best I could as I hurried back to the office. I could only avert my eyes as I hurried past Susan, unable even to look at her beauty in my current state. I blushed a bright red as I moved quickly to my desk, already hearing the slings and arrows fly around me as I sat at my cubicle.

“Hey pal!” I heard Murray from across the aisle call out as I took my seat. “Couldn’t make it to the john?” I felt the redness of my face deepen as the first of many such rejoinders flew my way this afternoon.

Thus is how I spent the rest of my day until it was time for me to catch my train home. As I walked I aimed an ill tempered kick at any squirrels that ventured too close to my path. Upon arriving home I showered, wrapped myself in my warm bathrobe, and relaxed with a cup of hot cocoa before opening the pages of this journal. Only after this period of restful reflection was I able to stay the shaking of my hand well enough to write these words. Why must I suffer such indignities? I suppose we all must bear such things in our lives. For now I sleep the sleep of the just. Until tomorrow dear friends.

November 4, 2008

Fresh day, fresh start my dear friends. Today is a bright, fresh Tuesday and I will not let the darkness of the past weigh me down.

To prove this to both myself and to you dear friends I tell you that I walked in to work today with my head held high, started the coffee as normal, and got straight to work. I was relieved that there was no further fall out from the previous day’s unfortunate series of events, no mocking emails or ads for adult diapers were sent to me. Instead there was a new project that had been sent to me and me alone to work through. Finally a chance to show those above me what I could do for this company, and to show the others on my floor that I was not just a subject of ridicule.

So immersed was I in my work that I scarcely noticed when the rest of the crew arrived, in fact I almost missed my regular lunch hour. As a result I had to hurry out past the front desk and was unable to enjoy my normal smile from dear Susan.

After lunch Susan was not at her desk, she took lunch only when she could manage to leave the desk unattended for a few scant minutes. So alike are we in our hard working ethics. I myself returned to my desk and kept my head down in my work until quitting time.

After work I returned home and updated my journal almost immediately. And now I go to enjoy some music and my book before turning in for the night. Until the day dawns anew.

November 5, 2008 *REPEAT*

Today was an ordinary day. I caught my train, rode to work, read my novel. When I arrived at my job I turned on lights, and made coffee. I had lunch, went back to work. Nothing new from the higher ups about my previous day’s effort, nothing new from Susan. An ordinary day in my ordinary life.

November 6, 2008

Today I saw more rodents in the subway. Strange though they seemed to be squirrels I have never seen squirrels in the subway; they seem to prefer the trees and fresh air of the parks to the dark, cramped, greasy tunnels below the city. Perhaps I was imagining the two furry creatures though; I saw them only for a scant few seconds. They were in motion for the entire time they were in view, fighting over some discarded piece of offal. I saw not much more than fur and bright shiny eyes. I instantly looked around to see if there were others to attest to the sight my eyes beheld, but my usual habit of leaving for work before the rush of the average man had left me as the only witness. When I looked back the creatures were gone with no sign to prove they’d been there at all. Still I’m sure I saw them, I saw the tails, and it is a hard thing to mistake for something else in an abandoned subway.

So sure in fact that when I arrived at work I did a quick search on the Internet to find out if indeed the subway was amongst the squirrel’s usual habitat. I looked at several articles but could find no empirical or anecdotal evidence to support the idea that the things I saw this morning were squirrels. I was forced to put it from my mind as the others began to come in for the day, I had wasted more time than I’d intended searching out this strange phenomenon.

I put myself to my work, ignoring the little piece of strangeness completely until just now when I sat to put my daily thoughts on to this page. Now that it occurs to me again I realize I am making much to big a deal about this all, they are just animals. They go where instinct tells them, where their food is. According to what I’ve read the animals in question: ‘Rely on foods rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fat.’ That would describe much of the junk food discarded by the users of the city’s subway system, so maybe I did truly see what I saw.

Enough of this idle speculation though, it is time for this weary traveler to rest his eyes. Until tomorrow dear friends.

November 7, 2008

The air was crisp this morn on the way to the subway station, winter approaches. Ah winter, when Mother Earth enfolds nature in to her womb and hides it away for another year. There is as of yet no snow in the air, but one can tell that it is not far off. For now though it is still temperate enough to walk to my station with no need of gloves or hat. I still took mine along, better safe than sorry I always say.

I saw no sign of the squirrels below ground today, a scarcely saw them above ground truth be told, perhaps it was the change in weather that forced them below ground.

Oh! I almost forgot the most upsetting thing happened to me this day. When I got to work I found that someone had invaded my personal space! I keep a small supply of comestibles in my desk in case I feel the distant gnaw of hunger begin to consume me in the lonesome hours between lunch and dinner whilst I am stuck at work. There is nothing much in the small treasure trove of snacks: a jar of nuts, a small package of caramels, a few bags of tea, and a small amount of peanut brittle that my dear mother made me for my birthday. When I arrived at work this morning, my thoughts still preoccupied by all things squirrel related, I found this small deposit of food I had set aside had been defiled. Most galling of all was the missing peanut brittle, the bandits had eaten the last of it. Indeed the only thing unmolested was the jar of peanuts I suppose the thief or thieves were in too much of a hurry to deal with the opening of the fresh jar. I do not know who visited these indignities upon me, but I will find out and the party, or parties, will be dealt with swiftly and succinctly.

Now I must seek some herbal tea and a few words from my mystery novel to calm my frayed and savaged nerves. I shall write more tomorrow, but for tonight my hand is too filled with righteous rage to hold the pen any longer. At least tomorrow my weekend begins. Good eve, dear friends.

November 8, 2008

The weekend has arrived! I spent the lion’s share of the day alone in my apartment. The solitude helped me calm my nerves after the yesterday’s odious events. I needed the time to center myself and find my calm. I do not know why I let such petty things get to me. I just know that I am meant for better things than my current lot in life has given me; I also know that others can see this of me as well. That is why I am faced with jealousy and derision at work, why the small minded enjoy tormenting me so.

After my day of reflection I walked down to my local pub. That’s right dear readers: Trivia Night! Again my trivia superiority was confirmed, as I emerged from the pub victorious over the lesser competitors.

The only negative aspect to the evening’s events was the walk home. As I made my way through the familiar neighborhoods around my home I began to feel as if I were being watched by some unseen follower. ‘Who could it be?’ I thought to myself. Some overzealous contender from the bar? An angry, jealous coworker who was not satisfied with merely invading my personal space at work? One of the cities many dangerous vagrants, madly following me deluding himself into thinking I am the source of the voices in his alcohol and syphilis ravaged mind? When I finally spotted my unseen pursuer I had to laugh. It was a simple squirrel, one of the tiny woodland creatures that was simply watching me no doubt due to the smells of the pub which still clung to my clothes. I half expected the sounds of my mirthful laughing to scare the little fellow off, but indeed he sat and watched still.

To say I was surprised by the diminutive devil’s moxie would be an understatement. Normally such creatures are as skittish as a virgin on prom night, but this chap stood still and watching me as I watched him. I took a step towards him, expecting this aggressive action to be more than enough to drive the thing from my sight, but still it stood, staring with it’s black shiny eyes locked upon my person.

I suddenly found myself overcome with fear. This creature was not acting as something from nature should; it was acting as if it held some sort of malevolent intelligence. I ran towards it stomping my feet loudly waving my arms dramatically over my head to prove that the things was just a stupid creature with brains smaller than an acorn. Still it stood it’s ground, it’s nose twitching slightly as it stared at me. Then after another final moment of this strange immobility, as if to prove that it wouldn’t move until it was ready, the thing ran off into the dark night with a flick of it’s bushy tail.

I was left alone and breathless in the street. Breathless from both my exertions and from the extremes of my fear.

-

Having had some time now to sit and meditate upon the strange events that befell me earlier this night I have come to the conclusion that it was nothing more than a combination of ordinary events mixed with a head a little to full of self congratulatory beer. Had I been more clear headed I would have realized that the little thing was so still not due to some sinister intellect, but simply due to it’s fear of me. It was no more watching me than any of it’s pocket sized friends do. As Shakespeare once said: "O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil." Devil indeed.

That is all for this night friends, I’ve been foolish enough for one writing. Now it is time for this fool to slumber. Good night, dear friends.

November 9, 2008

Another Sunday is upon us and I am taking it easy. After last night’s ‘adventures’ I am more than ready for a restful day to myself. I still can’t believe I let myself get so worked up and over such a silly little thing. At least I was able to calm myself after some calm and thoughtful meditation. Still I must shake my head at my own ridiculous behavior. In fact I’ve decided that to prove to myself that I am no longer such a foolish man I will now go out and seek the same deserted piece of boulevard to walk down. When I return expect to give you all a full report of my sanity restored.

-

I return. As I suspected I saw nothing to concern me on my outing. Now I shall rest my weary head secure in the knowledge that the world is as it should be.

November 10, 2008

When I arrived at work today I found my desk in disarray. My papers had been thrown around, my pens, paperclips, and other sundry office supplies lay all over the desk and on the ground as well. The last of my food stuffs, the jar of peanuts, was opened, poured over the desk and crushed into my computer’s keyboard. This action was no doubt in response to the small note I posted on the front of my desk Friday after I had found my food poached. It read, quite elegantly I thought:

Please respect my space.

It seems that you are unaware of the fact that it is considered a social norm that items left on another person’s desk are in fact the possessions of said person. Please leave my desk and the items stored on or in it alone.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Charles Andrew Saint Gertrude

I thought that this note was as respectful to my coworkers as I could be, but obviously my coworkers do not agree. I should have known that their limited grasp of what is considered polite would not understand this simple missive. Instead I was forced to seek aid in my persecution from my superiors.

During my break I approached my boss’s office and politely knocked on the door. It was my great fortune to find him speaking to HIS superior. I spoke to both these fine gentleman in an even tempered fashion but I am sure that my distaste at my treatment shone through my calm words. I told them of both the original offence and this more recent indignity. After listening to my plight they said they’d ‘take care of it’ and allowed me to return to work with one less burden on my shoulders.

After work ended I returned home and listened to some relaxing music to soothe my nerves. I sit and listen to the music flowing ethereally through the air and wonder where the world went so wrong. I can think on this no more this night dear reader, I shall retire now and hope that in the morning the world makes more sense.

November 11, 2008

Today is the day we honor our fallen soldiers for their efforts on our behalf in distant lands. Enforcing the peace, stopping dictators and making the world a better place in which to live. Thank you to our brave fighting men. I will say no more, as to speak of the petty humans which I am forced to work and live with would only sully the memory of the great men whom we honor.

November 12, 2008

When I arrived at work today I found out that my desk is being moved. I get the honor of having a cubicle in the back corner of the office, furthest from the hustle and bustle of the noisy entrance area of our area. I suppose it has something to do with the incident that occurred on Friday, when my space was invaded by person or persons unknown. I of course made my ire over this incursion known to my superiors. I must say that I am surprised by the reaction my quandary has inspired from them. I expected a note placed in the break room, perhaps a strongly worded email memo sent out to the entire floor. I think though that this solution is far more elegant, it not only keeps me away from my unseen tormentors but also rewards me with an increased area in which to work. True the added space is not that impressive but it is an obvious attempt by the higher ups to show me how much they appreciate my hard work. The move shall take place tonight after I leave for the evening. I am hopeful that my new placement in the office will avoid future problems from my more petty minded coworkers.

In happier news I found myself, through a stroke of luck, alone on the elevator with the one who hold my heart in her dainty hands. That for those of you who have not been paying attention is our department’s receptionist: Susan. She of the fair skin and flowing hair. I spoke not a word for most of the trip down from the 14th floor to the lobby, but as we were stepping from through the doors of the elevator I gathered my courage and spoke to her for the first time.

“Have a good evening.” I said as cheeky as you’d wish. She responded by nodding and smiling at me. Her smile filled my heart with such joy that I knew no hardship could chase me from the workspace we both inhabit.

With that good and cheery news to fill your dark night dear readers I bid you adieu.

November 13, 2008

Today I have more to say about my troubles and tribulations at work dear readers. I know it seems a shocking thing that more needs to be said.

When I arrived at work today I did indeed find my desk had been moved to the appropriate spot in the far back corner of the rather large room which our department inhabits. When I got inside instead of starting the coffee as I normally would I decided to simply go to my desk and begin work, if they wanted to treat me so poorly I will not be doing them favors. I quickly sent off an email thanking my superior, and his superior, for their efforts on my behest. Then I lost myself in my numbers for the next hour or so.

At exactly three minutes after nine the man sitting at the desk across the row from me arrived. He stood a little under five feet and had a shock of red hair that was greased back in a way that he no doubt found charming. His face was round, freckled, and red as if he’d had a little too much to drink. As he approached his desk I could not help but notice that the man smelled terribly of cigarette smoke and had vicious looking yellow teeth. He wore a suit that was vaguely greenish in color, but still maintained a yellow tinge; it also bore bright orange stripes as if it wasn’t offensive enough to the eye. In his hand the man clutched a hat with a brownish/grayish fur trim along the sides and a leathery black top. As the short man approached me he nodded a greeting. I hoped that was all that would pass between us but alas it was not.

“Hello buddy.” The man said with a raspy smoke hardened voice. “The name’s Todd Ed. What’s yours?”

“Charles” I said barely being able to force my voice into audibility due to my immediate dislike of this man who stood before me.

“Awesome name. Nice to meet ya Charlie.” CHARLIE no less! As he said this he slammed his hand forward smacking me on the back, invading my personal space with his foul smelling presence. “I guess we’ll be neighbors here from now on. I gotta say you’ll be better than the last stiff that sat here. He was a real stiff if ya know what I mean.” Note that I report this conversation exactly as it occurred to me, with every ‘ya’ and ‘gotta’ that assailed my ears. He went on at some length after that, I am not sure how the man got any work done that morning, I was barely able to work with his constant yammering at me, worse he kept peppering his speech with inane sayings like: “Working hard or hardly working?” and “Got yourself a real case of the Mondays eh?” Note that it is Thursday; I’m not even sure what the troll meant. Worst of all though was his constant need to refer to himself as “The man so nice they named him twice.”

This is all within the first hour of his arrival at work, after that amount of time he rose from his chair saying he was going to “Grab a butt. If ya know what I mean.” He winked at me, and I did indeed NOT know what he meant, until he grabbed a back oh cigarettes, shrugged into his audacious coat, and waddled off towards the exit.

He’d not even been at work for a full two hours and he took a break. I was to discover during the day that this was his des rigueur routine through out a ‘normal’ work day. He would sit for an hour, sometimes less before leaving for at least ten, sometimes as long as fifteen minutes for a “breath of fresh air”. The dwarf would return after these extended periods reeking of cigarette smoke.

I admit that it rankled me. I was considering my alternatives vis a vis approaching my superiors about this problem when I decided to just let it go…for now. I was confident that in the same way my superiors noticed my hard work they would see this man’s indolence.

Enough of this dim and murky topic, I am secure in the knowledge that such slovenliness will not be abided. I went home after a long day of ‘conversation’ with Mr. Ed. Ha! I just noticed his name; perhaps tomorrow I will toss a few bon mots his way using his Equine-esque name as the basis. We shall see how this goes. Until tomorrow dear friends.

November 14, 2008

Tragedy almost befell me today dear friends. I was almost late for work when my train was delayed due to ‘a problem on the line’. The man who sauntered through our car to explain the problem to we bewildered and beleaguered commuters said that murky sentence and then was hastily on his way to enlighten others in the cars behind us. I am still unsure even now what could possibly have been the trouble, we were after all on a subway train, and it is not like a cow could’ve wandered upon the tracks. Though I am sure the city has many tribulations keeping the trains running on time and with a little delay as possible without the danger of bovine interference, it was quite too much today as we were delayed for almost an hour for no visible reason!  The only thing visible from my perspective was some small movements on the ground near the train. Subway rats, of course they aren’t exactly a rare sight in the tunnels. Or maybe it was the squirrels. Ha! Maybe.

I apologize I seemed to have lost my train of thought for a moment. Eventually my train started up again and I was forced to run from the station to my place of employment. As I ran beneath the sculpted metal work sign reading Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing I breathed a sigh of relief seeing as it was still before nine in the morning.

I hurried to my desk and saw that my diminutive coworker had still not arrived for the day but had no time to consider it as I was barely able to get to my computer and login before the hour ticked over.

I began my work and tried to ignore the small man as he sauntered in and sat at his desk. His salutation, including the infantilization of my name down to Chuck, grated my nerves so much that I nearly stooped to his level and threw out a bundle of horse themed jokes, but after last nights journal entry I decided to take the high road. I will not succumb to such behavior. I will keep myself unsullied in these base matters.

I was forced to take the rush hour subway home. The crush of people was almost unbearable, all those sweaty, smelly members of the not so great unwashed masses pressing up against me. I couldn’t read my book, couldn’t think, I could scarcely breathe. I have rarely been so relieved to get home as I was on this day.

I stumbled into my apartment and made my way directly to the shower. Upon finishing the cleansing I removed this journal from its spot amongst its seventeen brethren and set to writing. I find myself somewhat amazed after days like the one I experienced today, that I have been able to sufficiently order my mind enough to make an entry in these journals every night for the last seventeen years.

With that final thought dear readers I will take my leave of you all for another night. Until a new day dawns upon this earth. Good night.

November 15, 2008

Today is Saturday. Normally this would mean another triumphant trip to the pub and to Trivia Night but tonight I could not bring myself to make the trip. The streets seemed too dark, the world too foreboding. I don’t know what it is; I thought I had exorcised the ghosts of last week’s trip. It is true that the strange event which accompanied my trip home last week have weighed on my mind. I have not been able to spend more than a few hours without thoughts of the strange creature entering my mind. Indeed I have not felt safe walking the streets around my apartment building after dark since those events occurred. Now on the night that I usually reserve for frivolity and the much needed unwinding of my tense mind from the stresses of the work week I instead find myself locked in my home afraid to even unlock the doors. Afraid of what? A simple wood land creature. A rodent, but not even a plague infested rat, an ordinary little squirrel that did no harm to me beyond simply looking upon me with its feral, simplistic curiosity. I feel a sense of shame at my actions, but that does not change my true and instinctive sense of fear at the idea of once again striding unaccompanied down those barren byways of the city betwixt my home and my local tavern. Call me a coward if you would dear readers but I know what I felt while gazing upon that alien and malicious creature.

For tonight I must be satisfied with the simple pleasure of crawling under the protective cocoon of my blankets and entering into the warm amnesiac shores of sleep. Perhaps tomorrow the world will seem a less mind shattering place.

November 16, 2008

Slept most of today. I just didn’t feel like getting out of bed. I was up late with worry. I was concerned less about supernatural creatures and more about myself. What could I have possibly been thinking that I allowed myself to give in to such insanity? I feel shame for my actions. Or my inactions I suppose. For now I must prepare myself mentally for another day of work and another day with Todd Ed. Good day dear friends, good day.

November 17, 2008

Two wondrous things occurred today at work to make it the best day I’ve had in all of my memory. I arrived at work, on time since there were no hold ups on the tracks this day, and started my day as I usually do: Reading my email. I was dreading this as Todd Ed had promised to send me some jokes that were, in his words, ‘A gas’. Having experienced Mr. Ed’s sense of humor first hand during the closing days of the week last week, albeit in short bursts as the man is rarely at his desk, I was prepared for a few emails full of the worst toilet humor imaginable. Instead I found my inbox empty of all but work emails.

Knowing that men like Todd Ed never voluntarily surrender the chance to foist their wit on others I was sure that I’d get his missives sent to me as soon as he arrived. Looking at the clock I saw that it was well after nine in the morning. This by no means meant that the little dwarf would not be in; he was often late coming in and returning from his many breaks. As time passed though I became more and more certain that the man was not coming in. Normally I felt no particular glee or schadenfreude when a coworker was struck ill enough that they were forced to remain home, but in the case of Mr. Todd Ed I was more than willing to make an exception. With no Ed in the office I was able to fully concentrate on my work, no distracting smell of smoke or grating voice burning into my ears; as a result I was able to be much more productive and put to rest some of the work that had piled up during my tenure as Todd Ed’s work neighbor.

I worked in peaceful silence until my lunch hour, which I took at precisely half past eleven that morning. Though the weather outside had turned rather cool I still took my lunch hour at the nearby patch of grassy land referred to by those of us who lived and worked near it as ‘The Park’. This epithet was used as something of a jest as The Park was indeed just a small patch of grass with a few trees and benches. Benches that one could sit upon to enjoy lunch, or just a moment of respite, whilst being amongst a small piece of natural beauty set within the urban landscape of the city. Many such places exist around town and are known for having a large infestation of squirrels and woodchucks and other such creatures. Those of you who are my constant companions in these writing will understand that it took no small amount of courage on my behalf to return to a spot not only known for a over large population of the small furry menaces, but was also the place of an earlier humiliation at the behest of one such creature. That humiliation being when one of the nasty little things had unceremoniously dumped a surprisingly large quantity of water upon my head drenching me in a quite undignified manner. At the time I’d been sure that it was a simple accident, an unfortunate twist of fate. As the days have past though these events have been brought into greater relief by the strange behavior of some other creatures of the same genus as the one which caused me so much grief before. These strange actions have made it such that I cannot even freely move about my life with out feeling a great amount of fear for my safety and sanity.  Today I decided to take back my independence, to return to my former brave and hardy self. Today I acted like the man I always knew myself to be.

The best part of it all is that nothing happened. I sat quietly eating my lunch undisturbed by either man or beast and enjoyed every moment of it. I saw a few of the small creatures that had so haunted my dreams but they did not act in any way that was contradictory to its expected conduct.

I returned to work a few minutes later feeling like a new man. I was emboldened, full of vigor and a new confidence like I have never felt before. Perhaps that, dear reader, is how I managed to approach the beauteous Ms. Ecureuil.

Susan seemed truly surprised by my appearance at her desk. It is true that I had never approached her in such an overt way before, choosing instead to show my feelings through less ostentatious shows of emotion, such as smiles and respectful nods of the head. Though I had in the past pretended that my reluctance to approach her was due to my respect for her as a person the truth is that I was never very good at speak to members of the fairer sex. Choosing instead to live my life in a more monastic style. I oft told people that though I was alone I was not in any way lonely. Now though I can admit that this was not entirely true. Showing the world that I was ready to change these ways through one fantastical gesture. That is how I found myself standing before the desk of the beauty that guards our halls.

Taking a deep breath to steady my quickly weakening resolve I forced my dark brown eyes to meet her own shining Irish green ones.

“Ms. Ecureuil.” I stared so that there was no mistaking my next words were meant for her ears and her’s alone. “I have long noticed you sitting here as the bright smiling face that greets me each day. My life is enriched by my seeing you daily and our occasional conversations. This is why I wish to ask you to accompany me out for an evening of fun and hopefully romance this weekend.”

She seemed shocked, though whether it was due to my forward nature or the ‘out of the blue’ suddenness of my proposal I am not sure. For at that moment my hard earned confidence began to fade. In order to delay what I felt would be a sure rejection words sprang freely from my mouth once again.

“Please don’t answer now, take some time to think on it, perhaps consult your schedule, and then give me your answer. Do not worry if that answer is no, for I am prepared for such a dismal possibility, though I hope that said worry is unfounded. Either way I await your answer at some point in the future. For now I bid you a good afternoon, as I must now return to work.”

Return to work I did. My spirits soaring. My heart was beating so hard within the chambers of my chest that I was afraid it would break loose from it’s bindings and tear itself from my bosom. I sat within the small cocoon of my cubicle and willed myself to calm down. Eventually through sheer force of will I was able to return my attention to my work.

The rest of the day was spent flying between the extremes of fear and joy. I was worried about leaving my desk for even a moment to ‘answer the call of nature’ in case the woman came by to tell me she was granting my fondest wish. At the same time I was afraid to stay in this spot lest my lady love approach and break my heart asunder.

Neither event occurred and when I left for the day some hours later I found that Susan was not at her post, indeed she was nowhere to be seen as I exited the building. My heart would have to wait until another day to find an answer to its desires.

Now I sit at my desk at home filling the pages of this journal with my darkest dreamings. Yet even with so much fear and excitement flowing through me I find myself pulled towards the shores of sleep. Perhaps the lady of my dreams will become a literal reality tonight; perhaps I will see sweet Susan Ecureuil even as I slumber. I can only hope dear reader, I can only hope.

November 18, 2008

No sign of Susan at work today, though there are many days where due to our jobs our paths just don’t cross. Still I was hoping for something, some sign that my feeling are echoed within her. There is naught, at least for today.

Instead I got the return of the abhorrent Mr. Todd Ed. At first I had to sit through his descriptions of his illness. I was told, much to my chagrin, that he had, I quote: ‘Stuff coming out of both ends’. Then I was serenaded with the sounds which he claimed accurately portrayed him sitting ‘on the can’. I was both disgusted and angered. Such evil minded and discourteous manners had no place within a work environment.

Still there was worse to come as Mr. Todd Ed somehow divined why I was so distracted and different from my usual self. He proceeded to ask if I were having ‘girl troubles’ and then told me of the many ‘chicks’ he’d been with. I felt my face burn as I blushed a deep red, a fact which he took no small amount of pleasure in. He began to ask if perhaps my problems weren’t due to girl troubles but were instead a result of BOY troubles. He then took pains to assure me, between bouts of laughter, that he had no problem if I were ‘a faire’.

I had had enough! I was just about to turn from my work and let him know exactly how I felt about his humor. Only when I turned I found his seat empty. Leaning over I glanced down the hall and saw him waddling off towards the front of the office pulling his hideous coat on as he went. No doubt for another cigarette. Disgusting habit!

Undecided if I should handle these incidents directly, by talking to my superior, or if I should handle it via office email I was suddenly distracted by a strange sound. It was as if there were finger nails being scraped across a rough surface, but the sound was coming from behind me where there was nothing but the wall. After listening for a moment I realized the phantom sounds were coming from within the walls themselves. As if something was trying to break forth from within the walls and enter our office. I briefly considered the idea that someone from an adjoining room in our building was playing my for a fool, then I realized that my desk was against an outside corner. There was nothing between me and the outside but several feet of concrete and brick. There was no way that such a sound could exist, and yet there it was for anyone to hear. Anyone in this case unfortunately was me; there was no one else here since the exit of Mr. Ed for his umpteenth break of the day.

Since it was almost time for my lunch anyway I decided to leave this dilemma for now and take a richly deserved break. As I walked towards the elevator vestibule, which is both the exit to our department and home to the lovely Susan, I heard the voice I had come to despise so much during the last week.

Todd Ed was standing in front of Susan’s desk making what passed for conversation in his circle. “I’m not just bragging baby; shorter guys like me are the way to go. What we lack in height we make up for in girth. If ya know what I’m saying.” I heard a girlish giggle rise in response to this low rent come on. Surely, I thought, that cannot be Susan. She would never respond so favorably to such a poor excuse for a witticism. As I rounded the corner though I discovered that my instinct was wrong. She was indeed giggling girlishly at the squat man who stood before her, a dainty hand held over her mouth to hide her grin. Shocked and dismayed I fled to the elevator before either of them could speak to me.

I took my lunch at the same park as the day before, hoping that the same measure of courage and self confidence would take over my system. Alas no such boost came to me. Instead I returned to work feeling depressed and defeated. When I arrived on my floor neither Ed Todd nor Susan were anywhere to be seen, in fact the entire reception area was deserted. So quiet was it that at first I thought there must have been some kind of fire drill in session, and then I detected the quiet sounds of my coworkers talking as they tapped away at their keyboards.

As I entered the main part of my department I noticed it got even quieter, as if the conversations that had been occurring suddenly grew silent. Was it possible? I asked myself. Were they talking about me? Perhaps Susan had told that troll Ed about my asking he rout, perhaps he had spread this juicy piece of news about the office like most men pass around the flu. No. I refused to believe it; poor sense of humor aside Susan would never do anything so purposefully cruel. It was likely just my own mind working against me, there was probably nothing going on at all other than my own paranoia.

I returned to my desk to find someone already behind it. Todd Ed was on his hands and knees, small portly behind stuck up in the air, as if he were an obnoxious dog sniffing for a treat.

“Hey pal!” He said as he noticed my presence. “Am I glad that you’re back! Did you hear this? Like rats in the walls. But I don’t think rats get up this high. What d’ya think it is?” He was of course referring to the scratching sounds. They were still there and were in fact louder than ever.

“I am not entirely sure what it is.” I replied after listening to the sounds for a time. “I’d heard the scratching earlier but was unsure if I really heard anything.”

“How can you not hear that man? It sounds like something is trying to get out. Something hungry.”

“Indeed.” I replied my voice neutral. For some reason the other man’s interest in the problem that had earlier vexed me so made me want to distance myself from it. I did not want to even be a witness if it drew a man like Todd’s interest; also I had not forgotten his earlier behavior in the reception area. “Well I think it is best if we just ignore it for now and return to our work.” The little man seemed taken aback by this suggestion, as if he’d expected me to be more concerned than he was himself.

“I guess.” He said stepping out from behind my desk and returning to his own. “I mean it ain’t happening behind my back so what do I got to worry about. Still don’t you want to call maintenance or an exterminator or something?”

“No.” I replied coolly. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for your concern.” Mr. Ed sat at his desk eyeing the spot behind my desk suspiciously.

I spent the remainder of the day trying to prove that I did not value Mr. Ed’s opinions by ignoring the increasingly loud scratching sounds, which I would now describe more as digging sounds, as they emanated from the wall behind me. They got so loud that at some points during the day I felt as if I were in personal peril, still I maintained my composure until the day was through.

As my custom was to arrive early I too was able to leave early. I normally enjoyed this merely as a way to avoid rush hour congestion on the subway trains, but today I had the added benefit of leaving the obnoxious Mr. Ed alone in the corner with the digging sounds. He looked at me, pleading me with his eyes to back down first so that I acquiesce to his desires and call for an exterminator or some other professional to deal with the sounds. The only alternative for him was to sit here alone in our corner for the better part of an hour with the scratching.

Smiling to myself I walked away from him and out into the front lobby area of our floor. I hoped again to see Susan, to finally end my inner torment about the potential for a future date for us. She was again away from her post. Perhaps she felt shame for her earlier reaction to Todd Ed’s less than subtle humor. Perhaps she was eluding me to avoid having to answer my earlier query. Most likely, I realize now, she was just busy with one of her many daily responsibilities.

Since I was unable to get a resolution to either of the problems that occurred during my days adventures I will have to comfort myself in the knowledge that tomorrow is another day and that if I am patient all will be revealed in time. And said time will flow faster while I slumber. Good night dear friends.

November 20, 2008

As they say: “Tomorrow is another day.” Indeed this axiom seems to have been proven true on this day.

I arrived at work to find the entire office empty as usual. I went to my desk to see if the noises had stopped and was relieved to discover that they had. No noises, no scratching, no visible sign that there ever had been anything wrong in the area. With a satisfied sigh I sat at my desk and began work.

At precisely nine in the morning Todd Ed entered the office. This was the first time since I’d met Mr. Ed that he’d arrived to work on time. Indeed even on this occasion I could see that it had been an effort for him. His face was even redder than normal, his breath was coming in heavy, wheezy gasps, and there was a half smoked cigarette behind his ear as he shuffled quickly to his desk. His sharp rodent-like eyes moved over me, and then over the area behind my desk as he sat down.

“Any news about those weird sounds today pal?” He asked fiddling with his half-smoked cancer causer.

“No.” I answered keeping my answer as short and succinct as possible.

“Well that was some weird shit let me tell you.” He responded still eyeing the spot behind my desk where the sounds had originated the day before. “It sounded like the…what ever the heck it is was going to dig right through the wall and pop out at me.”

“Well it seems to be all quieted down now.” I said letting a touch of derision enter my voice. “So I suppose we can both get back to work.”

“Yeah I guess.” He responded after a moments thought. “Like the man said: ‘All quiet on the Western front.’”

I knew that the man in question was Erich Maria Remarque, in his novel of the same name, but this philistine was more than likely referring to the movie called by that title. No one actually read anymore especially men like Todd Ed. Movies had become the masses only way to take in any form of classical education. No one ever read things like The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Hamlet, or Don Quixote, God forbid you ask the average Joe about such topics without mentioning someone famous actor such as Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson in the lead role. These stories and novels though are like a warm fire on a frigid night to one such as me. They give me a measure of comfort when I can allow myself to disappear into the minds of the characters, fit myself into the story’s plot. Living vicariously in these worlds was at many points in my life the only joy that I knew in my sometimes lonely life.

I digress. The subject at hand was not the uneducated masses which thrive so in our society, instead we were talking about one particular member of that sad group. That man being one mister Todd Ed. I smiled thinly at his attempt to sound well read, or at least well versed in popular culture, and turned to my work shutting him out entirely. I heard him shuffle about a bit before sitting down to his own work. He was there for less than five minutes before I heard him rise from his desk again and leave without another word. Most likely off for still another cigarette break.

Normally his lack of work ethic rankles me but this time I was happy for a cessation of his constant stream of bad jokes and foul smelling breath. With the new found silence I was able to get involved in my work again to the point that I did not even notice his return to his desk some unknown amount of time later. So enthralled was I in my daily tasks that I stayed at my desk until closing time. Taking no time for breaks and skipping my lunch entirely I sat stolidly at my desk working through the work that had piled up do to my distractions from missing receptionists and mysterious noises.

By the time the end of the day arrived I was unsurprisingly exhausted by the day’s efforts and ready for a nights rest. On the way out I looked for Susan, as had long been my custom but which seemed even more important since the day I spoke so freely to her. She was again missing in action and I was unable to secure an answer to my heart’s inquiry. Instead I sat alone on the subway, reading my novel and enjoying the solitude until my train arrived at its station. As I stepped off the train and walked to the stairway up to the surface I turned my eyes away from the darkened corners from which a strange yet familiar scratching sound emanated.

Now I sit alone in my neat little apartment and wonder what those sound mean. I wish I had the courage to investigate but I am not that man.

November 19, 2008

Thursday has arrived and you know what that means, tomorrow is the last day before the week’s end, or the weekend eve as I like to say in my own charming way. What a merry day it was indeed. I left for my lunch break expecting nothing more than a simple repast of peanut butter and jelly and instead I got another meeting with Ms. Susan Ecureuil. An extended meeting as she was in the elevator and we rode to the main floor together.

I broached the subject of my earlier offer of weekend companionship, not for the whole weekend of course, but still for a few brief hours. She was surprised by this, not that I’d speak of it after such an extended silence, but instead she did not seem to recall our conversation at all!

Is it possible that in the extremes of my diffidence I was too quiet for her to comprehend? Was it that in my verbosity of language I spoke in a way which her more simple verbal palate could not fully comprehend? I simply took it to mean that one of us misunderstood the situation and that by raising the subject again I now had a second chance.

As I tried to find the words to ask her again I found there was no need. She smiled her sweet smile at me and spoke plainly.

“Sure Charles.” She said her voice quiet as her own shyness took over. “An evening on the town sounds fun. We could maybe leave tomorrow after work?” I did not know what to say, I was flabbergasted as luck would have it at that moment the bell rang signaling that we’d arrived at our floor.

I had time to blurt. “Wonderful, lovely, I shall pick a suitable site and let you know about it tomorrow.” Then the crowd pushed us apart, sending her towards the ground floor office suites and me towards the front exit doors of our building. I heard her call out an affirmative statement but could not catch its precise make up before I was outside.

The cool air eased the hot blush that had risen to my cheeks as I moved towards my little patch of land that I used as a luncheon spot. I felt as if I were dancing the whole way there, as if my feet were not really touching the ground. She’d said yes. No matter what else occurred in the upcoming day and a half until our evening together I had that one event to look forward to.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of endorphins and warm feelings, even my unsuitably curious corner mate’s joking could not dispel my radiant mood. As I left the office I winged a bright smile Susan’s way and received one in return from her as the elevator door closed.

Only when I was on the way down did I realize the disparities in our work schedules would require me to work later the next day. I briefly considered returning to the office to speak to Susan about this issue but decided instead to just arrive at work at my usual time. If she wished to leave at my normal hour all the better, if instead I had to wait for her to finish her work hours then she was certainly more than worth it.

Now dear friends I shall get myself to bed and try to fall into slumber as quickly as possible in order for me to be as refreshed and ready for my enchanted evening tomorrow night as I can be. Good night, though I believe it shall be hard for me to sleep with my heart all but bursting from joy.

November 22, 2008

You may have noticed dear friends that there was no entry in this ledger for yesterday. Indeed any reader out there who is reading this must think that this is either very good news or possibly very bad. The truth is unfortunately the latter.

I arrived at work at my accustomed time and started into my days tasks, hoping to enthrall myself before one Mr. Todd Ed arrived for the day to distract me with his infantile gushing. I was indeed able to do so and worked for quite some time before I noticed him returning to his desk from one of his breaks. I made the mistake of eye contact though and was forced to talk to him.

I greeted him jovially enough which aroused his curiosity. I am by no means a dour sort. I am just more reserved than most. Especially with people who arouse distaste in me on a personal level. Such as Mr. Ed did.

“Why so happy pal?” He asked as he settled his considerable weight into his squeaky office chair. “You finally getting some?” He laughed at the last bit, as if the idea that I would find female companionship to be quite amusing.

“I’ll have you know that I indeed do have an evening planned with a lady tonight. Nothing so course as you’ve suggested. Instead it shall be an elegant evening of enthralling conversation, light drinks, and a simple, yet delicious repast.”

“Sounds like a blast.” He replied not bothering to mask his sarcasm. “Who’s the lucky broad? Your mom?” He laughed again, as if the idea that a man’s mother is an unsuitable companion for a night out. Or as if that were the only woman I would be able to see socially.

“The lady in question works here, her name is Susan Ecureuil, you may know her.”

“The secretary?”

“The receptionist, yes.”

“That chick?” He laughed again, this time the laughter was of a crueler nature. “She’s the village bike man.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” I said, but I had a sinking feeling that I did indeed know what he was referring to.

“You know man, she’s the village bike? Everyone’s had a ride?” He sneered as he said it, not only implying that the pure and innocent Ms. Ecureuil was a tart, but that this was indeed a good thing. Like it was something I would look for in a woman.

I was livid, my fists clenched and unclenched at my sides as I stood ready to step forth and attack the putrid little man. Instead with supreme effort I calmed myself and spoke calmly.

“Are you attempting to say that Ms. Ecureuil is a loose woman?”

“Of course!” He said a debased excitement evident in his voice. “Why do you think she never at her desk, she’s off servicing the rest of the floor. You know when a chick gives ME a tumble that she likes to bone.”

Rage coursed through me. I knew that if I waited a moment longer I would cause grievous bodily harm to Todd Ed. Instead of allowing myself to engage in such a transgression of societal rules I turned on my heel and walked towards the bathrooms located at the other end of the workspace.

Once inside the bathroom I entered one of the stalls and stood with the door closed. I could not bring myself to exit the small confines of my sanctuary for almost ten minutes as that is how long it took me to calm myself. By the time I left the bathroom and returned to my desk I found that Todd Ed had left on another of his daily breaks from work.

I sat back down and returned to my work. I completely ignored Mr. Ed when he came back from engaging in his disgusting habit and sat down. I heard him clear his throat, though whether that was to gain my attention or due to his unhealthy constitution. Either way I paid no attention I continued with my work until my lunch hour arrived. When it did I immediately rose up from my chair and left without speaking a word to my squat coworker.

While leaving the building I watched for Susan, there was no sign of her at her desk. For the briefest of moments my mind drifted to what Todd Ed had alleged earlier. In that instant I saw her in my minds eye performing the most disgusting acts with the various troglodytes that worked in my office. With some effort I pushed the images from my mind and continued to the elevator. On the ride down and all the way to my inner city sanctuary the disgusting and erotic images kept occurring to me. I did my best to push the thoughts from my mind as I arrived at the little park. Still as I ate lunch they came back to me again and again. Finally lunch was over. I decided my only hope to banish these thoughts for all time was to actually see Susan, to talk to her and let her comfort my confused and fevered mind.

When I arrived back on fourteenth floor I saw Susan sitting back at her accustomed spot. She was speaking on the phone as I approached and for a moment I thought I heard the ignoble Todd Ed’s voice coming through the line. Susan said her goodbyes and hung up the phone as I stepped in front of her.

“Hello Susan.” I said calmly. I found myself unsure of how to continue. Did I just spit it out? Ask her point blank about the heresy Ed Todd had spouted about her? Should I instead ‘beat around the bush’ so to speak? Begin with small talk and work my way around to the subject that had been weighing on my mind. She mirrored my greeting with her own, calling me by my first name and adding a sweet and sinless smile. My resolve to confer with her on these baseless rumors dissolved as I looked into those angelic green eyes. I felt my own grey eyes well up with emotion as we spoke briefly, passing pleasantries back and forth. As we ended our brief palaver she encouraged me to have a good day and told me that she looked forward to our date that night. We ironed out the details of when and how we would connect after our respective work days ended. My heart lifted from its place in the dark areas of my soul and soared once again as we spoke.

All too soon our conversation was over and it was time for me to get back to earning my daily bread. I returned to my desk and set to work. As I did so I felt Todd Ed’s eyes upon me, willing me to acknowledge him. I did not do so.

As my work day ended I stayed at my desk and began reading my novel, waiting for the moment that Susan would come back and retrieve me for our engagement that evening. Soon the appointed time arrived but no Susan appeared. I waited longer and saw the exit of Todd Ed, still no Susan. Eventually the office emptied out entirely and I looked up to discover that an hour had passed since our appointed time.

I gathered my belongings and put away my various and sundry office supplies. I felt conspicuous dressed as I was in my finery. As I may have written about before I usually try to dress in ways that are more dignified than the average office denizen. Today I strived to dress in a fashion that was even more impressive than my usual attire. As a result I was now standing alone in an office that had seen me overdressed all day long. As I stood trying to decided what to do about this potentially embarrassing situation the last of my fellow workers exited the office area turning the lights off as they left. I was now alone in the darkened office. It occurred to me that at any moments the strange and disquieting noises might begin again and this though hastened my departure.

I walked out into reception expecting to see Ms. Ecureuil still chained to her desk, slaving away with some last minute emergency that had caused her to stay behind without even time to call back and warn me. Instead I found the area empty of all life. The lights had been extinguished here as well and there was no sign that anyone was left on the floor let alone in this room with me. With a grunt that was made up of equal parts dissatisfaction, disappointment and despair I threw up my hands in defeat and finished my walk across the room to the elevator.

As I walked I was suddenly halted in mid-step by a strange sound and a sense of movement from across the room. There was a small waiting area there with two cheaply produced arm chairs that bracketed a small glass end table. This area was in deep shadow, especially the parts that existed between the chairs and the table. It was from this spot that the sounds and movement seemed to be coming. I say seemed because I am still not sure that I saw or heard anything. I was about to move closer when the elevator arrived with a small ding sound.

I stepped on to the waiting car and took one look back towards the dim region between chairs. When I did I am sure to small, black eyes shone back at me. As the doors closed, cutting me off from the room with its small waiting area, I swore I heard a chittering sound. The sounds a small woodland creature might make whilst searching the cold autumn ground for a modicum of food. Just as the door finally slid closed, a thing that seemed to take a lifetime of moments, the chittering changed in tone a pitch and became laughter. It sounded strangely like the laughter which so often slipped from the mouth of that red faced fiend Ed Todd. The door closed and the elevator descended to the main lobby leaving me not but my own memories as proof that anything had happened at all.

By the time I arrived home, my face red with discomfiture the whole ride here, I was able to convince myself that the new sounds and the accompanying sights were nothing more than my overstressed mind reacting to my disappointment in Susan and our aborted meeting. Even now though I can’t be completely sure. Such things don’t happen in the real world…Do they?

Part 2: Past The Tipping Point

“All animals can be inquisitive creatures - especially squirrels. They have the ability to go where they want, when they want.”

- Tim Gause

“Squirrels chew on tree branches to sharpen and clean their teeth. They will also chew on power lines for the same reason; this has caused many major power outages.”

November 29, 2008

It has been more than a week since my last entry. In that time I have been trying to figure out what is happening in my small corner of the Earth, in my small life. Try as I might I cannot reconcile what I have seen with what my logical mind knows to be the truth.

It is Sunday. Known by many through out the world as God’s Day. I have never been much of a believer in God or religion, nor in any higher power. That being said recent experiences have brought the idea of a power and a mind greater than my own in to sharper relief. I have been seeing signs and omens. Signs that would lead me to think that something outside of what I have always believed true is happening.

I have seen things, let us be frank, creatures that possess both an intelligence and an intent that is well beyond their simple seeming. In the week since I have written last I’ve seen more and more of the squirrels. At first they were mostly to be found in the Subway tunnels that I frequent as I ride to work each morning, there was only a few but more and more appeared each day. Now I can scarcely find a corner of the dim and murky tunnels and darkened stations that aren’t home to either the small secretive sounds of the diminutive creatures or to the glittering eyes full of malicious purpose. I do not know what they want, I just know that I am the only one who has seen them or is aware of their machinations.

When I returned to work last Monday I found myself afraid to return to the fourteenth floor where our department is located. When I mustered the courage and entered the elevator I was sure that the cable would break sending me plummeting to my death. That when the authorities investigated the accident they would find that the cable had been gnawed through by sharp little teeth. Yet the elevator soon arrived at its intended destination and the door opened as it normally did. Again I was gripped by hellish visions as I pictured the floor of the reception area filled with the mutilated corpses of my coworkers and legions of vile little squirrels staring up at me with hungry, clever, black eyes. When the door slid open though I found the normal cheerful lobby, filled with nothing more than the warm glow of bright lights and the smell of the floor wax that had been applied during the night.

I stepped off the elevator and walked into the main area of our department. I looked around expecting to here sneaky fur covered feet and hushed chittering. Again nothing more than the usual office sitting quiet and alone in the early morning light.

I turned on the lights and moved to my desk. I checked carefully underneath and around it. I was especially careful to review the area behind my chair where the mysterious scratching noises had come from. Even going so far as to crouch down and run my hand over the smooth, white painted wall. Again I was treated to nothing out of the ordinary and after a few more moments was able to convince myself to take my chair and get to work.

I found it hard to concentrate at all, I would work on something for a few minutes then find when I went back to check it that I had made so many errors as to make my work unusable. I forced my attention to focus, making myself start again trying to give my full attention to the task at hand.

Finally I was able to lose myself in my work so much so that when I looked up some hours later I realized that my lunch hour was at hand. Looking to my left I saw that the desk normally inhabited my Mr. Todd Ed was empty. Such was my unease that I would’ve welcomed even his presence at this time in my life. That day though he was not there. His desk was not as well kept and neatly tucked away as mine but it was still clear from the state of it that no one had used it that day.

I rose from my desk and walked into the reception area. As I entered I heard the sounds of people conversing as they waited for the elevator and the cheery ring of the telephone. I stepped fully into the room and saw Susan manning her post.

As you my dear friends may recall last week I was supposed to have a date with the lovely young Ms. Ecureuil but she disappeared before the event took place, worst this left me alone in an office that was infested by some form of fiendish swarm. I managed to escape that terrifying situation with my life intact by my courage severely beaten.

I decided that I could not live another moment without discovering the reason for Ms. Ecureuil’s deceptive behavior. Gathering my wits about me I approached her desk and stepped around the corner of it to stand face to face with her. Where upon I discovered that it was not the lady which I expected. This woman had the same flowing brown hair that Susan enjoyed but hers was bushier in nature. Her face was also much different. Her nose was pointier and her eyes were a chestnut brown and were set closer together than were Susan’s. This strange woman had large pink framed glasses perched on the end of her nose that magnified those strange close set eyes as she stared up at me. I paused unsure how to continue now that I found myself face to face with this unknown woman instead of the beautiful and familiar Susan. It has been more than a full week since I experienced my first meeting with this woman I can remember our conversation down to a tee.

“What can I do for you?” She asked baring her teeth in a strange half-smile half-sneer. She held a nail file in one hand and slowly drew it back and forth across the nails of her other hand.

“I’m looking for Susan Ecureuil?” I asked my voice coming out in a sort of halting stammer.

“Susan…” She attempted to say the last name, making it sound so ordinary and American. As if it were Eke-Rule. I grimaced as she spoke the elegant last name with her gutter accent but this new woman failed to notice and just continued to speak. “I don’t know her, does she work in the accounting department? I mostly know people from there.”

“No Miss she does not.” I replied feeling my ire and annoyance rise up within me. “I work in the accounting department, she is the one who normally holds the position you are currently filling.”

“What?” She asked showing me her teeth again. The were small, sharp and yellowed.

“Susan is the woman who normally mans this reception desk. She has for as long as I’ve worked here, more than four years!”

“I don’t think so. I’ve worked here almost six months already and I’ve never heard of this girl.”

“Six months? Here? On this floor? At this desk? That’s impossible! I see Susan daily.”

“Don’t know what to tell you Mister. I…” She paused her mouth agape as if something had just occurred to her. “Wait you mean Susie? The girl who worked here before me? You can’t mean her. She definitely hasn’t been around.”

“I see.” I said the annoyance inside me quickly turning to outright rage at this woman’s incompetence. “Is there someone else who I may speak to? One of your superiors perhaps?”

“I guess you could talk to Mr. Scoiattolo.” She replied naming the head of my department and my direct superior. Again she mangled the name, the not as badly as she had done with Susan’s.

“Thank you.” I responded through a tight lipped smile. “And what is your name Miss?”

“Rita Esquilo and you are?”

“My name is Charles, Charles Woodrow Saint Gertrude.” She seemed taken aback when she heard this, her eyes widened and her mouth fell open wider. “Oh. Charles, yeah I heard of you. You should definitely talk to Mr. Scoiattolo about this then.”

“Feel certain that I will ma’am.” I responded turning on my heel to partake in my belated lunch.

When I returned I found that I had far too much work to contend with to follow up on this latest mystery in my life. Besides one ignorant woman was nothing when weighed against the other things that had been inhabiting my mind of late.

I soon put it all from my mind and by the time I was ready to leave for the day I had very little thought of the strange Ms. Esquilo. Indeed my only thoughts as I prepared to leave for the day was what I would find in the reception area that was not human. I knew it was foolish to be afraid. There were people entering and exiting the reception area almost constantly, plus I could hear conversations going on near the elevator and Ms. Esquilo answering Susan’s phone. Even so my heart beat hard in my chest, my mouth felt as if it were full of cotton. I stood staring out into the well lit chamber and was frozen by fear. If I needed any further proof that the creatures I had beheld these past few weeks were under some sort of alien possession the terror gripping my heart would be it. I am by know means a brave man, but these things though they look harmless have created in me such a deep degree of horror that I know they must be supernatural in nature.

Finally I was able to raise enough conviction in my soul as to allow myself to take those final steps into the reception area. I was not greeted by throngs of alien creatures, nor was I attacked in any form. It was simply the room I had been accustomed to during my tenure at Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing.

Sighing with relief I stepped on to the elevator and was soon delivered to the lobby. I stepped into the fresh, cool outside and walked calmly to the subway station where the train to home would soon be arriving.

It was during the ride home that my true terror began. I was sitting all alone in the train car, a strange occurrence even with the schedule I keep. I was too frazzled to read or even let my thoughts wander to more pleasant things than the dirty subway train. As the train rumbled through a long and seemingly endless tunnel it suddenly made a loud screeching noise and rammed to a halt. I was thrown from my seat landing on the filthy floor of the train car. As I lay there stunned the lights that were situated in the roof of the car winked out leaving me alone in the dark.

I stood unsure of what to do. I was in complete, inky, blackness. There should have been some light; there is always emergency lights in these tunnels. In this case though I was left with nothing but my wits to help me along. Knowing how dangerous it would have been to go wandering in the vast tunnel system under the city with no lights and no map, not to mention with the possibility of being electrocuted if the power came back on suddenly and I was standing in the wrong place, I decided to stay where I was for the moment. I knew it shouldn’t be long before help came. I was wrong.

It seemed like I stood there for hours, but since my only time piece is an antique pocket watch that I hang from a fob secured to my suit jacket. It had no back lighting and though it is quite an elegant piece it was quite useless to me in this situation.

So there I stood in timeless darkness waiting for some outside source of help. Then the sound started. At first I thought it rats scurrying around, somehow having gained entry into the car with me. As I listened though I began to perceive a method to their seemingly random scuttling. They were circling around me, slowly flanking me, making sure I had no escape from this large metal coffin that I found myself in. I could now feel as well as hear them; they kept darting over my feet, their bushy tails brushing my ankles.

I screamed aloud, I was unable to help my self. The fear and revulsion over powered my sense of decorum. Then something small but impossibly strong struck me from behind. I stumbled forward and barely kept my self on my feet. Still they were quiet as they ran in circles all around me. I could feel the emotions rising off them like a palpable heat. They were angry, I had invaded their home, their sanctum, and now they were going to punish me for it. Possibly even take my very life. Another of the things smashed into me this time hitting me higher on the back. I was knocked complete off centre and fell to the floor. They began to crawl over, it was if they wanted to force their way inside of me! They were pushing against my mouth, my eye sockets, anywhere where they might gain entry into my person. I screamed…

And found myself sitting, still in my seat as the train pulled into my station. I was alone in the car, at least as far as the tiny attackers were concerned. There was though another person, an old man in a smelly dark coat and too large stained brown pants sat across the car from my staring at me with bright, tiny, dark eyes. He seemed neither frightened nor curious due to my strange behavior; instead he sat and stared with no emotion.

The train came to a stop at my station and I rose from my seat. As I stepped out the door of the train I looked back at what I assumed was a harmless homeless man. I was greeted with a truly horrifying sight. The man was smiling at me, his lips pulled back in a grotesque toothless grin.

This alone would not be enough to upset me; it was the accompanying look in the man’s eyes. He knew. He knew all about them.

When I arrived home that night I was welcomed with one final sight to terrorize my night. Sitting atop my journal. Atop this very journal that I am writing in right now was a single acorn.

I fled this sight and have not been able to come near the journal until now. Many thoughts have occurred to me since about how the small nut got there and more importantly what it meant. Was it a warning? A threat? Had they read my secrets and innermost thoughts? Did they need to?

The only thing I knew for sure was they had been here. They knew where I lived.

November 30, 2008

It has only been one day this time since my last entry. I had intended to fill you in on the rest of my week but felt too overcome with emotion to continue. In truth there is not much more to tell. Everyday I kept an eye out for the creatures. Though they never again appeared in my office or home, I did see them every time I descended into the subway. Worse everyday there seemed to be more of them! They no longer seemed content with simply staying in the shadows watching us; they were brazenly straying into the light more and more with each passing day.

You may have noticed my use of the word ‘us’ in the above sentence dear reader and there is a reason for that. I am fair certain that the creatures do not mean just I harm. Instead I think they mean to attack the entire Earth! I am convinced that there is an overall intelligence controlling the previously inane and harmless creatures. I am further convinced that this intelligence wants nothing less than the subjugation of the whole world’s population. I have no proof of this the creatures are to clever for that. Nor have I any true reason for this belief beyond my own thoughts. Still I can see no other purpose for the animal’s actions.

It is because of these fears I have for the entire planet that I have opened this journal and began writing again. I do not believe in God or religion but I do believe that such a thing as fate exists. I further feel that it is my fate, my destiny, to chronicle the happenings that I am witness to. That is why I have been chosen to see these things. That is why I am the only one who knows.

December 1, 2008

It is a new month and a new start to my life. I now have a purpose beyond anything I have felt before. No more is it my aim to simply gain material wealth or lofty positions with in my chosen profession. No more will I be occupied with the pursuit of women and future bliss. I am now making it my mission in life to expose the threats from these things. This journal will be where I store these reports. That way if something were to happen to me whoever found these words would know what had happened and perhaps be able to fight back in ways that I am unable to. Perhaps in this way if I am overcome by this menace my legacy will live on protecting those that are important to me.

We shall see dear reader, we shall see.

December 2, 2008

When I arrived at work today I was met with a surprising sight. I got to my desk and found Todd Ed already sitting in his chair. This was surprising in two ways first I hadn’t seen Mr. Ed in nearly two weeks. Second as anyone who has read the earlier pages of this missive will remember that Todd Ed had never in all of the time that I had known him shown up to work before nine in the morning. It was almost an hour before that time and he was already here seated in his customary spot.

He did not appear to be working. Indeed until I approached he seemed to be just sitting silently staring straight ahead. When I did step up next to him his head quickly turned to me, his quick brown eyes flicked up to meet mine. He looked terrible, even for him. His reddish hair was a mass of clumps and curls, his eyes were red and swollen. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved in days, possibly weeks. His clothes were a mess and if memory served it was the same outfit I had seen him in when last we spoke.

“Have you seen them?” He asked, his normally high pitched voice rising even higher due to stress and cracking slightly near the end of his sentence. “In the subways? In the sewers? They’re everywhere. Hiding, waiting, staying underground until they’re ready.”

“They?” I asked though I was sure I already knew of what he was speaking. “Do you mean the squirrels?” It was partial hope and partial fear that I awaited his next words.

“They aren’t squirrels.” He said his voice dropping to a harsh, broken whisper. “I’ve grown up with squirrels all my life and these things aren’t them. They ain’t even similar, not by a long shot. These things have brains, they have plans. They’re just getting started. But…you’ve seen them too? You really have?”

“Indeed.” I responded my voice far gentler than it had been previously. This man often weighed on my temper but now he was in need, and more importantly he may have been the only other being on the planet who knew the truth. “I have seen them and in fact I am currently in the midst of an attempt at foiling their plans.”

“You can’t. There’s no way! These things live underground. Do you know how much ground they could hold?”

“Well yes, I’ve noticed the infestation in the subway.” I tried to keep my voice calm so that it might help Todd keep himself calm.

“Not just the subway man! The sewers, the utility tunnels, there are hundreds maybe even thousands of miles of hiding places for those things. There could by millions of them underneath our feet, feeding, BREEDING. Preparing to invade.”

I wanted to disagree, to tell my new found ally that he was over estimating the threat of our enemy. I could not though because I knew that he could very well be right. Worse I felt in my heart that what he was saying was true, they were down there readying themselves and one day, one day that would arrive very soon, they would make their move. I shivered inwardly, I could feel the fear trying to take hold, trying to unnerve me and make me waver from my decided course. I was on the edge of panic, barely holding on, but somehow I was able to maintain my logical faculties. I could see that a similar feeling was occurring within Todd Ed’s bosom. His shoulders drooped and he placed his head in his hands. He seemed on the verge of weeping openly. I felt moved to speak, to somehow reassure him in his moment of weakness, perchance that by doing this small bit of comfort I could reassure myself as well.

“Perhaps you are correct Todd.” As I spoke some still rational part of me recognized that this was the first time I had used Todd’s first name in our almost daily conversations. “But now there are two of us, and perhaps we can pull others in to our cause. I’ve seen these strange things, as have you; there must be others who have seen it as well.”

He looked up from his hands, his eyes reddened with tears, but I knew that my small monologue had reached him. I could see the fear and sadness in his face being slowly replaced by hope. I know that no matter what happened we would stand together. This was an important realization in these trying times.

-

Ed Todd and I spent the rest of the day talking quietly about our shared fears and our individual experiences with these beings. I found that he had spent the last week much as I had. Every time he went anywhere he was confronted by the malevolent rodents dogging his step. Unlike me he reacted by hiding in his apartment and hoping they would not harass him further. This worked for a time. Until that morning when he’d awoken to find three of the alien squirrels staring at him from a tree branch outside his bedroom window. I had to admit to myself that if I hadn’t already known that the squirrels knew where I lived that hiding myself away may have been my primary tactic for dealing with these curious and frightening episodes. When Todd had seen the things watching him with an intensity that no normal animal would have he knew that he would have to do something beyond burying his head in the sand. Having no where else to go, and no other friends to speak to about this he recalled the scratching noises. He reasoned that perhaps the sounds meant that I too had had similar experiences to the ones that he was living through. Even if I hadn’t the sounds themselves might lead to a clue that would help him to defeat these things, or at least conceal his presence from them.

As he spoke I found myself listening for the now familiar scratching noises. There was none, and upon visual inspection of the spot from which they had originated there was no sign of any damage or any difference in the color and shape of the wall. I got down on my knees and pressed my head to the spot. As I did so I saw Mr. Ed’s eyes widen.

“What are you doing?! They could be in there right now!”

“I don’t hear anything. I don’t think they are in there. The only way we can hope to stop these things, indeed to survive at all is to learn all we can about them!”

He stayed still for a moment, chest heaving with fear, and then he picked up a large pair of scissors from his desk and stood at my side. He raised the scissors as if he were about to stab someone, or more likely something and nodded to me.

“Okay. Go for it.”

I leaned close to the wall and put my ear against it. At first there was nothing. Then distantly I head a soft scratching sound as if something were indeed moving within the walls but was trying to keep his presence a secret.

I quickly pulled my head away from the wall my eyes wide with fear and excitement. I turned to my compatriot and spoke quietly yet with vehemence.

“I heard something! It was quiet, barely there, but I heard it.”

“We gotta get in there.” He responded. “Except I don’t think we can just ram something through the wall, I don’t want those things pouring out at us.”

“Yes. Also though I know it should not be my main concern I for one would like to continue to hold gainful employment after this incident is over.”

“Yeah. Me too pal, me too. Maybe we can like hang something over it, like one of them cat posters?”

“Cat posters?” I asked fearing that he was speaking of some kind of semi-pornographic poster of a half naked woman.

“You know: It has ‘hang in there’ and a cat hanging off a tree or something?”

“Oh! Yes I understand now. I shall see what I can do. In the meantime I believe we should act as unassuming as possible. Let no one know that anything is different with us.”

“Got ya. Business as usual right?”

“Exactly.” With that we each turned back to our respective desks and worked in silence.

When the work day ended I went to a nearby mall where I searched the various stores for the poster that Todd Ed had suggested, or any of similar design which would fulfill our purpose. I finally found something, it wasn’t exactly a cat it was instead a motivational poster. It featured a message about teamwork and seemed appropriate for an office environment. I purchased it and made my way home.

The whole subway ride I sat tense and ready lest the trip was interrupted again. I felt sweat soaking into my dress shirt as the train entered the long tunnel where the previously mentioned incident had occurred, as we hit the center of this passageway my heart hammered hard and fast in my chest. I felt the urge to close my eyes as if I were a child hiding from the boogeyman underneath my covers at night. Then we were out of the vast empty tunnel and pulling into my stop.

With a sigh of relief I stepped from the train and started up the stairs to the surface world. I was no more than a few steps up when I heard a noise behind me. I turned back and looked down the stairway.

Lined up there at the base of the steps were six squirrels of varying colors and shades. They sat perfectly still, not moving at all, just staring up at me with their gleaming black eyes. We all stood still for a moment, just glaring at one another. Then one by one the rodents moved off. They headed in the direction of the subway tunnels leaving only one of their numbers behind. This last stayed, gaze locked upon me, for another moment and then it bared it’s tiny sharp teeth at me before joining it’s associates.

I turned and fled the subway. I ran until I arrived in my apartment and locked the door behind me. It took me much time to calm myself before I was able to write these passages. Now I shall sleep to prepare myself for tomorrow’s battle. Good night.

December 3, 2008

Today I awoke to find I was late for work. I looked at the digital clock that sits on the nightstand next to my bed and saw that it was blank. I had expected it to be flashing 12:00 repeatedly as it did after a power outage or even that I had somehow forgotten to set the alarm. What I saw in place of this though was a plain black face instead of the usual bright red numbers. I quickly rose from my bed and checked on the power cord. ‘Had it come unplugged somehow’ I thought to myself. What I discovered was far worse than that. The cord was frayed and broken as if it had been torn out of the wall with a great degree of force…or chewed through. The thought that my home had been invaded by those things again, this time while I was sleeping, filled me with equal parts terror and rage.

Despite my lateness I had to find out how they were getting in. I made a thorough search of my apartment, searching high and low, looking behind furniture, and tearing framed pictures from the wall. There was nothing to be found. Neither a hole, nor any crack large enough for a squirrel sized creature to fit through.

By the time my frantic search was through I did not have time for either breakfast, or my usual morning tea. Instead I found myself running down the stairs to the subway that I fled just the night before. Today there were no rodent spectators to spy on my movements, but if there had been I would have scarcely noticed as I hurried to catch the train. I made it into the train car just as the train doors closed. I sat in one of the seats; I was so late that I had missed the rush hour crowd entirely. There were only a few people on the train with me at this hour.

I looked at the few people who were apparently either as late as I was or had a more relaxed schedule than I did. There were a few people old enough to be retired, another few who seemed as stressed as I was. These few were checking their watches, or getting work started on laptops. The last component of the trains population was made of people who honestly didn’t seem to have anywhere important to be, these last sat in casual clothes and barely seemed to look up to check on the progress of the train.

I was only one stop away from my station when HE got on. It was the homeless man I’d written about in my previous entry, the one that had appeared after the power went out on my train ride home. I stared at him as he stepped on to the train and took a seat at the opposite end from me. My heart started pounding despite the fact that he didn’t look at me or indeed seem to be anything more than the normal homeless type that one saw everyday in this city. I watched him warily, readying myself in case he decided to do more than last time, but he just sat still not looking at anyone. He actually seemed afraid to make any sort of eye contact.

After what seemed like an eternity, but could not have been more than five minutes, the train began to pull into my stop. I stood up and walked over to stand by the doors. The train slowed and soon stopped, but nothing beyond that happened. The doors stayed stubbornly closed. Worrying that the train would leave the station with out depositing me first I turned to look down into the other cars hoping to see if other passengers were making their egress. Instead I found myself face to face with the homeless man. His face was less than an inch from my own. His graying, dirty, brown hair was a crazily askew halo surrounding his head in a way the showed his feral nature. The worst part though was his eyes. I stared into them and saw only blackness, no iris, no discernable pupil, just flat black eyes.

He smiled at me, his mouth full of crooked yellow teeth, and spoke in a voice that was both ancient and timeless. “We know about you Charles. We’re watching.”

With that the door slammed open and a terrible whirl wind filled the train car from without. I felt myself tumble sideways out the door landing in a unseemly fashion on the dirty floor of the subway stop. I sat there for a moment, stunned more by the strange and unnatural man than by the fall, and stared up into the subway car. The man smiled a sinister grin as the train doors closed and waved as the vehicle pulled out of the station. I sat for a moment more, neither the dirt nor the cold of the platform floor moving me to overcome my stupor and rise to my feet.

Finally with a shake of my head to clear my mind I rose from the ground. I looked all about me and saw that I was alone on the platform. I dusted off my clothing and picked up the brief case which I used to convey my papers, lunch, and other work related items from home to office. I looked with in the case and realized that in my rush I had not only forgone breakfast but had also forgotten retrieve my lunch from the fridge. With a growl of rage and frustration I closed the case and began to move to the stairs.

It was at this point that I realized I was no longer alone. All around me, behind the garbage cans, poles, and benches that were the only cover in this urban cavern were tiny fur covered faces staring up at me with bright, black, little eyes.

I admit my first instinct was to panic, but my dear friends I am proud to tell you I did not! Perhaps it was a true moment of courage, perhaps I was just tired. I was tired of the interference in my life, from the small minded pranks to the more sinister threats and harassment. Whatever the cause I was fed up, pushed to my limits and beyond. I stared at each of them in turn, twisting my body around until each of them had been measured up and found wanting in my gaze.

“You think that you can scare me off, that your petty games will stop me?” I said my voice slowly rising from a quiet whisper to a roaring bellow. “You are wrong! You cannot stop me! I will not be threatened or scared off! I WILL END YOU ALL!”

With that I turned, pushing past some frightened and surprised looking pedestrians who had just entered the station. I strode brazenly up the stairs full of confidence and joy at my small act of rebellion.

Les than ten minutes later I was nervous again as I stepped off the elevator on the fourteenth floor of my office building. I was rarely late, and had never been this late. I walked past the front desk barely looking at the woman who manned the station. It was this brief glimpse that made me stop in my tracks.

This less than pleasant Ms. Esquilo was gone, my darling Susan was back in her accustomed spot! I stood unable to fully comprehend what was happening. What was Susan doing back after so long an absence with no notice and no reason given for her lack of presence? It was at this point that I realized again my lateness. As she was on the phone and I was far too late to dally any further.

As I arrived at my desk I saw a very relieved looking Todd Ed waiting for me. “I thought you weren’t coming in today.” He said his voice low so that no one else in the office would hear our conversation. “I also thought that maybe they’d got you. Guess not eh?”

“I won’t pretend it wasn’t a harrowing day thus far.” I responded going over for him the events that had preceded my arrival. He seemed somewhat annoyed and angered by my story of my alarm clock. Then when I got to my experiences on the train he paled and looked fearful though whether for my safety or his own I was unsure. I ended my story by telling him that Susan was back and wondering aloud about her mysterious disappearance.

“Well I don’t know where she went pal. Do you think it had something to do with the things?” He seemed unwilling to refer to them simply as squirrels which I could understand as these creatures were as far past simple squirrels as we were beyond Neanderthals.

“I am not sure. Perhaps her strange behavior and vanishing act came about at the same time as our rodent problems did. Still there is no way for us to know.”

“Unless…” He paused here as if he were unsure of his own idea. “Unless we ask her?”

“I do not know if I am prepared to do that. The most likely scenario in that case would be that she thinks us mad and reports us both to the upper management. Plus even if she does believe us I am not sure I wish to expose her to this terrifying world that we two have been forced into.”

Todd let out a small desolate laugh. “Yeah I see what you mean.”

I sat at my desk and turned to my work. After a moment Todd spoke up again. “Hey man, I just want to say I’m sorry about what I said before.”

I looked up from my work, confused about what he was saying. “What are you talking about Todd? You have nothing to be apologizing for.”

“Yeah I do. That stuff I said about Susan, when I said she was easy. I’m sorry man; I didn’t know what I was saying. It’s all just rumors and shit and I was just talking out of my ass.”

“Well I accept your apology.” I said genuinely moved by his act. “Now we best get some work done lest we both get fired.”

“Right.” He said smiling the first real grin I’d seen on him since he had gotten involved in this mess.

-

After lunch, a lunch I was forced to buy due to my absent mindedness, I returned to the office to see the reception desk was again unmanned. Despite her return I had not seen Susan again that day. With a sigh I stepped through reception and returned to my desk. Todd was still at his lunch, his smoke breaks had gotten longer and more frequent since his return to work. I saw that he had mounted the poster I had bought yesterday to the wall. Despite my extreme hurry this morning, and my inability to remember my packed lunch I had remembered to bring the poster. It just showed where my priorities were these days.

I had promised Todd not to start on my investigation of the strange noises emanating from behind my desk until we were both together. He did not feel it was safe and frankly I agreed whole heartedly with his assessment. Soon enough I heard the sound of his footsteps hurrying back to his desk. It was a hard sound to mistake for any of my other coworkers. His legs were much shorter than were others in our department, and his stride was far quicker due to his consummate lateness. Instead of the anger I used to feel when thinking about Todd Ed’s eccentric behavior I now instead felt a strange sort of affection. Todd stepped into view and immediately apologized for his lateness. This made me realize that his feelings about myself had also been altered in the past few days as there was no way he would have felt the need to excuse his tardiness before.

He saw the poster and my stance near it and looked up at me nervously as he set his weight into his chair. “You didn’t go poking around in there without me did you?”

“No.” I replied smiling in a way that I hope was reassuring. “I knew you wanted me to wait. Are you ready for this?”

“Well I wouldn’t say that I’m eager to go but I guess I’m as ready as I’m ever gonna be.” He again clutched the scissors that he’d been prepared to use as a weapon the day before.

I carefully pulled back a corner of the poster and pulled out a small, sharp, utility knife that Todd had brought from his home. At first I took it slow, making only small, neat cuts into the wall. I was trying to make as little noise and mess as I could. Todd pushed a small plastic rectangular garbage can under the spot on the wall to catch the little bit of plaster dust that was dropping from the wall. Soon enough I had made a small square hole in the wall no bigger than the palm of my hand. The palm sized piece of plaster fell away and landed in the trash can with a small puff of off white dust.

Behind the hole we’d made in the wall we found another slightly smaller opening that was obviously not made by man made tools. It had ragged edges and seemed to have been gnawed deeply into the wall. It may have gone all the way to the exterior of the building, though I could see no sunlight nor feel any breeze pushing through the hole. It was also impossible to determine if there was anything in the opening, it was dark within despite the bright fluorescent lights shining away above our heads. I had not anticipated this to be a problem due to the extremely powerful ambient light in our office. Obviously Todd hadn’t thought of it either as neither of us had the foresight to bring a flash light.

“Well I suppose this halts out investigation for today.” I said as I began to lower the edge of the poster back into place. I was halted in my actions by Todd telling me to hold on and rummaging around in the back pack he used to lug his daily necessities from home to work.

“I brought this ‘cause I figured we might not be able to seal the wall back up.” Encircled in his stubby fingers was a small red and black canister featuring an artist’s rendition of a dead rodent on it’s back. Rat poison. I smiled at Todd’s prudence.

“Good idea Todd.” I said as I raised the edge of the poster again this time a little higher to allow Todd access. He poured a thick line of the white powder within the hole making a shield of fatal dust across the entire length of the opening. After he had finished I lowered the poster back into place and we pinned it down. It was perfect, one could not tell simply by looking at it that there was any hole beneath. If a person were to touch it they would have to place hands directly on the opening to detect any problems. Of course lifting up the paper would lead to discovery but it seemed unlikely to us that anyone would feel the need to do that.

After this we sat quietly and worked, neither of us saying a word to the other. Due to my lateness that morning I was forced to stay later than Todd and thus found myself bidding him adieu as he walked out of sight down the aisle and out into reception.

A short time later it was time to head for home myself. To say that I was somewhat apprehensive about my exodus from the building was indeed an understatement. There were still people around and so I was not alone in the reception area when I went to leave, also the lights were still on. These two things combined to give me a measure of comfort. Though I knew that there was likely not much my fellow office workers could do if the monstrous creatures chose this time to attack en masse I had noticed in them a proclivity for working in secret. As far as I could tell the only people who knew of this threat were Todd and myself. I felt that if the creatures had been being more overt in their actions than there would be more of us who knew, more of us to fight back. Instead it was just we two, so I sensed my assumptions were correct.

It was an uneventful ride home. Though I did see a few of the small black eyes watching me from the shadows none of the little things came out of hiding or tried to interfere with me in anyway.

When I finally arrived home I realized that I’d forgotten to buy a new alarm clock. It was too late now to go out and find one, and even if it weren’t I was far too tired from the days adventures. Instead I will call a wake up service to awaken me in time for me to get to work the tomorrow morning. For now dear friends, and future fighters of the despicable menace, good night.

December 4, 2008

I see joy and bright colors all around me do to the impending holidays, but I feel none of it. All I feel instead is fear and sadness and paranoia. I see the multitude of people wandering blindly through their lives without a clue as to the danger that they are in. There is an invasion coming, whether it comes from space or from a more earthly source I do not know. I am even beginning to contemplate the possibility that these hordes of furry monsters may come from Hell itself. If that be the case, if there is indeed a Hell then perhaps there is also a Heaven. If there is a Heaven perhaps there is a God. If there is a God we can hope that He might take mercy upon our pitiful humanity and free us from this infestation. We can hope.

December 5, 2008

Today was an ordinary day. I caught my train, rode to work, read my novel. When I arrived at my job I turned on lights, and made coffee. I had lunch, went back to work. Nothing new from the higher ups about my previous day’s effort, nothing new from Susan. An ordinary day in my ordinary life.

December 6, 2008

I do not know what is happening. I didn’t write that last entry…The words don’t sound like me! I think someone got in here and changed things around, I think they are messing with my stuff. It’s weird; I don’t know what to do. I guess I’ll watch around my place and call the cops if anything gets fucked with.

December 7, 2008

Today is Sunday. My latest move in to a more religiously open state of mind has caused me to consider some things that I have never thought possible before. This does not mean I will be attending services at some temple or church from this point forward, merely that I will spend these days in quiet contemplation. Contemplating what you may ask? My life, my chance at love, my future, my career, my soul. The Godless creatures which torment me daily. There is so much happening right now in my life as to make rational thought almost impossible. Indeed I have not been able to sit and think on my life, or even write in this journal for the past few days. This is not due to any particular outside influence I have just been that busy.

I returned to work on Friday and this time was prepared. I not only brought with me a flash light but also a small set of tools that I keep around the house for small repairs and such. Using the light to shine my way and the tools to poke around within the opening without blocking the light I was able to fully explore the hole. There was nothing within that I could see or feel. It did not go very far in, definitely not as far as the exterior wall of our office. I thought that perhaps it took a turn into a tunnel a few inches within the hole, but the opening was too narrow and the turn, if indeed there was one, was too sharp to follow.

I did my best to see simply by shining the light and looking down the miniature tunnel but there was a shadow that I could not banish no matter which way I shined my light. Todd tried to help but even with the two of us working it was no use.

He suggested that we widen the hole but then immediately vetoed his own suggestion. Between the fear that we would be caught and punished for our actions and the fear that something would hear or sense us digging into the wall we decided discretion was the better part of valor.

Instead we placed a small piece of plywood, cut to the dimensions of the rectangular hole we had created the day previous, in the hole to block it off. This was after we reapplied a generous sprinkling of Rat Poison. Between our poison and our makeshift plug the hole was secured for the weekend. We then put the poster back over the opening and secured the corners until it was flush against the wall.

That done we felt that our project was safe until Monday, I bid my workmate farewell and made my way out to the reception area. I was hoping to see Susan but instead found Ms. Esquilo sitting in Susan’s spot filing her nails. I past her by without saying a word and stepped up to the elevator. As I waited I turned and looked idly behind me. When I did so I say Ms. Esquilo suddenly turn her head away as if she were staring at me but was trying to hide the fact. Indeed now that I was looking fully in her direction she seemed to refuse to make eye contact or even turn her head in my direction. I frowned toward her to show her that I had in fact seen her actions.

It was at this point that the elevator arrived with a soft ‘ding’. I stepped on and started my ride down from the fourteenth floor to the lobby. As I stood alone in the small box of the elevator a thought occurred to me. Was Esquilo somehow connected to THEM? The squirrels had already shown that they had human accomplices. It was possible that these human vestiges of evil were in fact the leaders. Was the new receptionist one of them?

The elevator arrived on my floor and I stepped out. I was halfway across the lobby when I realized something strange was happening. The whole lobby was silent. Normally this large room was awash with the noise of humanity. People talking on cell phones, talking to each other, heals clicking on the marble tiles, clothes swishing, coughing, sneezing, and a hundred other varied sounds that many people in an enclosed space would make. Instead I found myself amidst a sea of sudden and eerie silence.

I looked up from my own feet where my eyes had been glued as my thoughts swirled in my head. There was a man directly in front of me staring directly into my face. I gasped audibly and looked around to see if anyone else had noticed his bizarre behavior. I saw that everyone in the lobby had stopped in the middle of whatever action they were performing to stand stock still and stare at me. I could even see cell phones hanging in the hands of these people as they had abandoned the call in order to stare. I could now hear the small tinny sound of voices coming from the unused phones earpieces.

I spun in slow circles waiting for them to attack, to move, to at least give some sign as to what they wanted and what they really were. Then everything just went back to normal. They resumed walking, talking, living. No longer were they strange meat statues doing nothing more than staring and barely breathing. Some now looked at me curiously as I stood, mouth agape, looking around still turning in slow circles.

I picked up my briefcase from where it had landed after falling from my senseless during my shock. I made sure I was composed before stepping forth again and continuing my journey home. Every time I stepped through a new door or entered a new area I felt sweat popup on all over my body. Thankfully nothing further happened. Indeed I did not even see the rodent spies that I normally saw on my daily commutes.

The next day, Saturday, was spent mostly in research. I had decided that knowledge was our best weapon against this menace. First I went to the local branch of the library, luckily it is in walking distance thereby saving me from having to risk a trip on the subway. Upon arriving at the stately building I did quick search of the lawn and trees out front to see if I was being observed by the squirrels. I saw a few, but they seemed to be acting according to their normal nature, not in the frightening alien way that I had seen so much lately. After assuring myself that I was not being watched, at least not in any obviously visible way, I stepped up to the large wooden doors of the library and entered the building.

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the relative dimness of the library’s interior after the bright sunny day that was outside the doors. During this moment of pause I breathed deeply in through my nose. Many people would describe the smell of most libraries as musty, but I smelled not but knowledge. The type of knowledge that can only be held within books, books that had been lovingly collected and maintained for years and years. I felt a small grin form on my face as I stepped fully into the lobby of the library. I felt somehow safe here, within these walls where logic and facts ruled all. I knew instinctively that the creatures would not dare to invade this place, not yet anyway. Until they were more secure, more sure of their strength and their numbers, they would not dare enter into such a solid bastion of civility.

I made my way over to the catalogue, I could still remember a time when the library’s catalogue was actually on cards. One would have to open a long drawer filled with small cardboard cue cards, then flip through them using their fingers to pick out the card they needed. Upon this one magical, almost talismanic card would be written the location of the book or books that one needed. It had the air of a ritual, a ritual that one would perform in order to receive information. Now the card catalogue was on computer, all it takes is the typing of a few words and the information that is needed appears before you in cold, hard, modern type. Then with the press of another button the information disappeared. Gone as if it had never existed. This is why I made the journey to this place. Knowledge gotten from a computer was impermanent, temporary. Whilst information found in books had lasted ages, and would continue to last no matter what was done to our power plants or information networks. Books could be horded away, kept behind locked doors, protected.

After a few moments of searching I found several books on the subject I was interested in. Some titles I pulled off the shelves included: North American Tree Squirrels, Squirrels: A Wildlife Handbook, Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them, The Ultimate Guide to Squirrel Hunting: Everything You Need to Know to Hunt This Popular Game Animal, and perhaps the most terrifying title to me personally: Flying Squirrels. I grabbed these and many others. Soon I was looking for a spot to sit, my arms loaded high with books. I found a study carrel that was away from the more heavily traveled areas of the library and set my heavy cargo of books down at it. Soon I was deep into the world of squirrels, I found many interesting facts. I found that squirrels can vary in size from the tiny ones we see all around us to some that have been as larger as 3 feet in length. I also read articles that led me to understand why the intelligence that I believed was attacking our city, and perhaps our world, would pick the simple squirrel as its host: “Squirrels are often the cause of power outages. They can readily climb a power pole and crawl across a power line. The animals will climb onto transformers or capacitors looking for food. If they touch a high voltage conductor and a grounded portion of the device at the same time, they are then electrocuted and cause a short circuit that shuts down equipment. Squirrels have brought down the high-tech NASDAQ stock market twice and were responsible for a spate of power outages at the University of Alabama.”  And even more distressing: “Squirrels are also responsible for burrowing into sensitive earthworks such as dams and levees, causing a loss of structural integrity which requires diligent maintenance and prevention. Squirrel burrowing activity has sometimes resulted in catastrophic failures of these structures.”

They were able to knock out power, bring down major financial institutions, perhaps even cause the destruction of structures as important as dams. What was next? Shutting down hospitals? Bringing down aircraft? Setting of a cataclysmic turn of events at a nuclear plant somewhere? Who knows what these creatures are capable of?

There was some hope though, there were several examples of squirrel traps, nothing that would allow me to fight them on a large scale, but perhaps I could capture one of the ‘possessed’ squirrels and study it, or bring it to the proper authorities to prove the danger that we are all in!

This research continued late into the day, I soon looked at my watch and realized that it was well after dinner time and that the library would be closing within minutes. I scooped up the books that I was planning on bringing home with me and headed to the front desk so that I might check them out. The young girl at the desk scanned the books and handed them back to me she wished me a good night as I placed the books neatly and carefully into my briefcase. I then headed to the door, the girl followed behind me. At first this concerned me, was she one of them? Then I realized that it was merely due to the fact that I was the last patron to leave the library this evening.

I was the picture of paranoia as I walked home through the lonely streets of my neighborhood. I constantly watched the area around me, worried that the vermin were watching me. Again I saw nothing but this in itself was making me nervous. Shouldn’t there be at least some presence? I could scarce think of a day where I hadn’t walked around and seen at least one, if not several squirrels running merrily about. Plus it was not so long after sundown, a time that my research had told me was the time when the creatures were most active.

I finally arrived home and went up to my apartment. I got through the door and locked it securely behind me. I then continued my research adding the Internet and its various sources to my search. What I found lent me know comfort indeed there was this:  “Squirrels have bitten to death a large stray dog which was barking at them in a Russian park, local media report...They are said to have scampered off at the sight of humans, some carrying pieces of flesh..."They literally gutted the dog," local journalist Anastasia Trubitsina told Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.”

Were these squirrels part of the invasion force? The article was from 2005, had it been going on since then? I did not know all that I did know is that I was terrified.

My research continued into today and I learn more with each passing hour. I’m on to you creatures. I will stop you.

December 8, 2008

Work today was a chore, I wanted nothing more than to get back home and continue my research. Instead I found myself slogging through the daily minutiae that normally left me feeling fulfilled and happy. Instead it wore on me, grating on my nerves until I felt ready to explode in anger and frustration. Finally it was time to go home. I said goodbye to Todd Ed and walked out past Ms. Esquilo who was now pointedly ignoring me.

When I arrived at home I sat down at my desk with a sigh. I worked long into the night, probably long past the hour at which I should have given up and gone to bed. I learned much more, but mostly it can be summed up thusly: Squirrels are intelligent, adaptable. They are capable of deception, some species not only scatter their winter food supply across a vast landscape, but they will actually make fake nests of these food stores. They simply dig extra holes that are outwardly the same as the ones that they’ve hidden their food in, but inside there is no food to be found. Also they learn and change their behavior based upon both what happens to their supply and based whether or not they are being watched at the time they are hiding their food:

“When hiding nuts, gray squirrels make many false holes and insert nuts into only a small percentage of these holes.

If squirrels see that other squirrels are watching them, they increase the number of false holes they produce.

When their nuts are stolen by other animals (squirrels, jays, or people), gray squirrels increase their deceptive actions by increasing the number of holes they produce, covering the false holes as well as those that contain nuts, burying their nuts underneath shrubbery, in mud, or in their nests where it is harder to observe where the nuts were placed.”

This made the task before me ever more daunting. My enemy was not only a multitude in numbers, but also scarily intelligent and both mentally and physically flexible. This legion of villains could run at speeds almost too fast for a human’s eyes to catch, could climb trees, were able to rip a large dog to shreds, and some were practically able to fly. They had sharp claws, even sharper teeth and seemed to be everywhere both below and above the ground. Some it would seem had even invaded my home and my work. This led to even more questions. Were they just after me? Was it because I knew there secret? Had they let me find out or was it an accident of fate? Or instead were they in many office buildings, homes, stores, restaurants, and other structures all across the city? Were they all across the world?

I didn’t know the answer to any of these questions, and I didn’t think any amount of research would find the answers out. In fact I could only think of one way in which I may have been able to find out what I needed. I had to capture one of them. I decided that I would spend the next few days, or even weeks if need be, in the building and use of one of the squirrel traps I had read about. Soon I will have one of the little demons. I know not what I will do with it when I have it, but I feel better just having a plan of action. But now my eyes grow heavy and the hand in which I hold my pen grows slow and clumsy so I shall go to my rest for this evening. Good night dear friends.

December 9, 2008

On the way home from work today I stopped by the hardware store and bought some things to make my trap. A large pipe with slick metal sides, a steel cap for that pipe, some clamps to secure both the cap to the pipe and the pipe to the wall, some slick oil to grease the sides of the pipe, and last but not least some seeds which I have been assured the squirrels will find very tempting indeed.

The actual assemblage of the trap should be exceedingly simple I should think. In fact even if I hadn’t seen it in the books I would likely have been able to come up with something very similar myself. My only fear is that whatever is controlling these squirrels, whatever alien force exerts its will over them, will be too clever to be taken in by such a simple trap. There is also the concern that I will capture one of the few ordinary squirrels that I still occasionally see about the city. But I must continue on with this plan regardless of the potential problems. I must see this thing through, for if I don’t no one else will.

December 10, 2008

Only thirteen more shopping days until Christmas is here. I know what I’d like for my Christmas present this year. I would like my life back the way it was. Before the squirrels, before the strange events that have so alter red my life in these last weeks and months, before Susan leaving me, before my world became a frightening and foreign place. Before all of this. If I could turn back the clock to three months ago, make it like it was before. Of course then I wouldn’t know about the threat but I think sometimes that would be better. Ignorance and eventual domination would be vastly preferred to this.

December 11, 2008

I have completed the traps. You have read that correct dear friends, traps. I decided that to put all of my faith into just one of these simple devices would be foolhardy indeed. Instead I have built six separate devices. Though perhaps devices is too elegant a word. They are simple inventions really and completely without bells and whistles. Well that is not exactly accurate as I have added bells to all of them. I thought about nothing in these last few days beyond these creations of mine and decided I needed a system by which I could be warned if anything was caught within my traps. So I bought small bells which are set upon small armatures which are in turn clamped on to the side of my snares. Now when the unfortunate creatures in question fall into the traps their own frantic movements will set off the bell and warn me of their presence. An ingenious idea if I do say so myself, and I do!

The only real problem is that I have worked so hard on these contraptions that I have not had time to do much else the last few days. It is for this reason that I missed yesterday’s entry despite my best intentions to update this journal daily. Luckily nothing of great import happened yesterday. I went to work, skipped lunch to go to the hardware store and showed Todd Ed the plans for my traps so that he may endeavor to make his own. I then came home and set to work creating my snares. It took me much of the night and I was still not able to complete them before shear exhaustion forced me to quit for the night. I dragged myself to bed and still felt weary when the alarm sounded this morning. But it has all been worth it as my traps are ready. I shall now hang them outside the windows of my apartment, and on the balcony. Then we shall see if I ‘get lucky’.

December 12, 2008

There were no catches this morning when I checked the traps. I know it has been only one night, and the traps were not even out at the time when according to the literature my prey is at its most active, but I had hoped for better luck. Still I shall leave them out for a few more days. If there is still nothing by the weekend I shall change the type of bait I am using and see if that helps.

The only good news is that Todd Ed told me he made several of the traps and put them up around his property which he claims is ‘chock full’ of trees. Perhaps that will make all the difference in the world when it comes to catching one. We can only hope, for hope is all we have.

In my excitement over getting up to go and check my traps I forgot two events that my indeed have some importance. First Ed invited me over to his place this weekend for some drinks and a discussion of strategy. Second Susan was back at her desk as I made my way out of the building for home. My only reasoning for this is that she must have been so overworked as to need the assistance of the less pleasant Ms. Esquilo. Susan smiled that endearing smile at me and bid goodbye to the person with whom she was conversing on the phone as I walked by. I was just going to continue on my way until she called out my name. Amongst Susan’s many blessings the foremost in my mind is that she is one of the few in the office who call me by my proper full name, that being Charles of course.

In response to her calling out to me I of course stepped up to her desk to find out what she wanted of me. She smiled again and brought her crystalline blue eyes up to meet mine. She had to stand to do this and lean forward, a gesture that I would have surely interpreted as an invasion of my personal space from almost anyone else. As she leaned close I could smell her perfume, a natural mix of vanilla and lavender and something else that I could only define as Susan’s natural musk. I tried to breathe it in as deep as I could without giving her any indication of what I was doing. I knew we were close, but I did not want her to think of me as ‘creepy’.

“Charles.” She said again her voice low enough to be considered intimate. “I hope you haven’t forgotten about the Secret Santa thing.”

I had indeed forgotten, in fact I had no real idea that any such subject had ever been broached within our office. Neither in this year nor any of the others that I had worked here. I smiled sheepishly, feeling the heat in my cheeks as a blush filled them with a ruddy glow.

“You did forget. Didn’t you? That’s so like you Charles, always too busy to remember the little details” Susan said with a knowing smile. She seemed so familiar with me and my habits and yet I felt that we had barely spoken, perhaps I was more open with myself to others than I realized. “Well lucky for you a little bird told me who it was you were supposed to buy for.”

“Indeed?” I asked surprised that she had been able to obtain such information; it seemed like the sort of office game that was kept well under lock and key. “And who is it I am supposed to purchase a gift for this year?”

“That would be me Charles.” She responded smiling with delight. “I hope you can think of something good before next Friday.”

“Next Friday, is that when the gift exchange is?”

“Honestly Charles you’d forget your own head if it wasn’t attached securely to your neck. Yes, next Friday, in the break room. There is also going to be coffee and snacks.” Then she leaned forward, our lips almost brushing each other. I thought at first that my fondest dream had come true! That Susan and I were going to finally share our first kiss!

Instead I felt her hand moving about my neck, fixing my scarf and the collar of my coat which had somehow gotten a tad messy in my rush to get home and check on my project.

As she stepped back and smiled, this time the smile was full of flirtation and promise, I felt the blush in my face grow even deeper. I stammered out a thank you and turned to head to the elevator again.

I stopped as I heard her call out to me once more.

“Oh and Charles don’t forget the price limit, nothing over twenty dollars. I’m sure a man of your intelligence can come up with something for that price, something interesting.” She put a strange sort of inflection on the word interesting, as if it held a promise of something greater and deeper than a simple Christmas gift. I knew I would have to think about this problem with a great deal of concentration. It would not do to disappoint my lady.

December 13, 2008

This morning there were no surprises awaiting me in my traps. Too bad really. Last night I thought I heard a distant jingling like one of the bells was going off. Though it was too gentle and quiet a sound to be a catch I rose from my bed and raced over to the trap in question to see what was happening. I hoped that perhaps one of them was sniffing around it, perhaps there was even one trapped but it was trying not to move lest I realize it was there. No such luck. I found the trap as empty as its brethren.

I am to go to Todd Ed’s now, perhaps on the way back I will pick up a new kind of bait. I read that often peanut butter is used in the trapping of rodents. I will ask my friend Todd his opinion on this, I think he will agree with me that it is a very good idea indeed.

-

I must admit that Todd’s house was not what I was expecting. I had thought I find him living in a small, claustrophobic, house that was as ill kept as the man’s desk was at work. Instead I found a well sized, well decorated house that was as neat as, perhaps even neater than, my own apartment. I suppose this is what they mean when they say never judge a book by its cover. Also his house was much larger than I thought it would be. When considering how much we were paid, an amount I knew to be approximately equal to each other, I had thought that it would have to be a small structure indeed. Instead what I was faced with looked like a veritable mansion when compared to my humble apartment.

When I arrived I found Todd Ed standing on his porch smoking a cigarette. Instead of the loud suits which were his custom to wear he instead was clothed in a simple smoking jacket and blue jeans. The smoking jacket at first seemed to me to be a strange choice, it only served to accentuate his already ruddy face. When I asked him about it he explained that he thought it looked like Hef’s. I of course had no idea as to whom he was referring until he told me the gentleman’s full name. Hugh Hefner, the man who produced that ‘adult’ magazine. I of course had never read the publication as it would have been unseemly to do so, although I had read a few of the articles and interviews online, as they did occasionally have some interest for me.

Soon Todd had brought me inside. The entryway was small but cozy. There was a large mirror hanging on the door which I imagined he used before he left to check his appearance one last time before leaving for work. We walked on into the main room of the house, which seemed to be set up as a combination bar and entertainment room. There was a rather large flat screen TV against one wall in front of which sat a black leather sofa. The television was about what I had expected from Todd, but I had to admit the couch was quite stylish. The bar was oak paneled and there were several types of alcoholic beverages to be offered to guests setup behind a glass liquor cabinet in the rear of the bar area. Todd stepped behind the bar, which was evidently set on a slight rise and offered me a beer, which he called a ‘brewski’. I declined explaining that I am not much of a drinker. He asked if there was anything else I would like, as any good host would do. I requested some water which he provided in the form of a bottle of Evian from a small fridge behind the bar. He obtained for himself a beer from the same fridge and opened it with a bottle opener which he had attached to a small chain behind the bar.

We stood for a moment in awkward silence, neither of us knowing what to say to break it. After a few seconds of this Todd tried to break in with a few questions about my journey here. He seemed for some reason eager to please me and be a good host. I responded jovially in hopes of allaying his discomfort and my own. After this brief exchange silence again reigned over us both.

I cleared my throat and asked him if he’d had any luck with the traps.

‘Oh yeah!” He responded suddenly excited. He put down his beer with such speed and force that he caused it to overflow all over the bar. Instead of wiping it up immediately as I would have done he instead came around the bar and took me by the arm. He began to lead me towards the back of the house. “I haven’t caught any of the little buggers yet, but I got a real nice setup here, you gotta check it out.”

We walked through the house to a small work room at the back. This room was small and dingy and by far the least impressive room I’d seen in the house thus far. It boasted a washer and dryer set in one corner of the room. In the other corner, closer to a thick looking wooden door sat small tool bench on which a few of the traps, only partially assembled, and the parts to make them sat. I also saw an open, half used jar of peanut butter which led me to believe that Todd had already come to the conclusion that I had pondered that morning.

We paused for a second here, not to admire his work bench, but only so Todd could unlock a heft pad lock that secured the door at the back of this room. He opened it revealing that it led to the outside. I followed Todd through this portal and found myself in a spacious and very green backyard. There were trees dotting most of the property and a large, sturdy looking, oak fence surrounding the yard.

The most surprising thing though wasn’t the size of the yard, nor the sheer amount of trees, it was the traps. They were everywhere, hanging from every branch of every tree. There were also some hanging off the fences and the eaves which were around the outside of the roof. Todd had filled his entire backyard with them. They hung glowing dully in the late afternoon sun.

“I figure it won’t be long before I catch one of the little bastards.” He said gazing around at the back of his property and his handiwork which hung in it with obvious pride. “I mean at this point I don’t even think I need the bait, I figure one of them will just kind of fall in you know?”

“Indeed.” I said unable to keep the awe from my voice. “I am quite impressed. You’ve been busy!”

“Yeah well I haven’t been able to sleep much lately you know?” He sounded almost defensive as he spoke. “So I come out to my work room and make the traps. Then I come out in the morning and hang them. I don’t know why I wait till morning, I just feel better then. It don’t make much sense, it’s not like we’re fighting vampires here.”

“Still I understand what you mean, it does somehow feel safer in the daylight. I suppose it does make some sense, I mean they are easier to see then.”

“Yeah, I guess.” He said still sounding frightened. “But those things are so quick, I don’t think seeing them clears is gonna help that much.”

I smiled in a way which I hoped was both brave and reassuring. “Still we do what we must to keep our courage, and our spirits up. Right?”

“Indeed.” He said in a quite accurate impression of myself He was grinning foppishly as he said it.

After our brief journey to Todd’s back yard we returned to the main room where we discussed the things that I had learned. I showed him print outs of the articles I had gotten of the internet and photocopies of some of the more important pages of the books that I had checked out from the library. Along with these I presented to him my personal notations taken by my own hand.

“Wow!” He said, it seemed it was his turn to be impressed with me. “I guess we know who the brains of this operation is eh? You got all this stuff together in a few days?”

“I guessed I haven’t been able to sleep much either.” I responded blushing slightly at his comment about me being the brains. “Besides research has always come easy to me. A friend of mine used to say I would have made an excellent research assistant or law clerk.”

“I’d say you got the nose for it.” Todd said distractedly as he went over my many meticulous notations. “This is where you got the plans for the traps right?” He asked picking up a scan taken from a particular book.

“Ind- Yes.” I said grinning slightly as I was reminded of his little joke earlier.

“Great!” He said not seeming to notice my verbal adjustment. “This is all great. Do you mind if I hang on to some of this, so I can look through it?”

“Not at all!” I said standing up taking this as my cue to leave. “That is why I made copies, so you could keep it all.”

“Thanks man.” He turned to look up at me as he said this last. This is when he noticed my movements towards the door. “You aren’t leaving are you? I figured you’d stick around for a bit, maybe I could make us some dinner?” He seemed disappointed that I would want to leave already.

“I’d like to.” I said, and was surprised to find out this was true. “But my studies and my own experiences as well, have taught me that the squirrels are most active just after sundown, and whatever is acting through them this still seems to hold true. So I would like to be home and locked away before this time. I am sorry though, perhaps next time. Perhaps when next I come here this will all be behind us and we can drink some ‘brewskis’ to celebrate our victory over the menacing creatures.” Even as I said it I knew that a victory on our side was unlikely. I could tell by Todd’s face that he felt the same way. Still I knew we had to continue to have hope, after all hope was all we had.

December 14, 2008

After I left Todd’s yesterday I came straight home and locked myself in. He had allowed me to take with me some of the peanut butter he’d been using as bait in a small plastic container. I went to work replacing the seeds I had used in the traps with this sticky substance, then I sprinkled the seeds back on top of it for good measure before resetting the traps and returning them to their places around my apartment.

After this chore was complete I cleaned myself up, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. My sleep was restless and filled with nightmares. They were a strange amalgam of squirrels, blood, darkness, and Susan. It didn’t take much thought to realize what these dream portend. My subconscious mind is obviously concerned for the fair Susan’s safety. But be that as it may I cannot tell her about the squirrels, she would never believe me. Would she?

-

Today when I awoke I felt ill rested and was tempted to remain in bed for a few more hours. Only two thought motivated me to arise. I had to check the traps and I had to think of a suitable gift to give to Susan.

I know it sounds strange that my mind would dwell on such things when my life was in constant mortal danger but if it weren’t for these small pleasures in my life than I don’t know what would be the point in even trying to stop the squirrels from their evil works. Even as I walked about my apartment checking my traps my mind was not fully on my work, it returned again and again to Susan and what gift I should give her.

It should be something that lets her know my great admiration for her, something which she could not misinterpret as a simple token of friendship. But it should also be something that will not embarrass her in front of our fellow coworkers. And all this for less than twenty dollars. It seemed an impossible dilemma!

Almost as impossible as catching one of the rodents it would seem. As I checked all the traps there were no catches. Indeed there were no marks on the traps or in the peanut butter that would even make me think that the creatures had been near the traps.

I suppose since it has only been a night with the new bait I should be more patient, by I can’t help but feel time is running out.

December 15, 2008

I had more nightmares last night. I do not really remember the content of these dreams. I do remember some of the images and themes. These included: pain, loss, death, a single squirrel, and Susan. Susan was begging for my help. Despite her pleas I was the one who was helpless. I could do naught but stand and watch a she died engulfed in flames. Why must I remember that part and yet the rest of the visions, the parts that could help me avert this danger, remain clouded in mystery?

I have made a decision, I must help her. In order to help her I must tell her the truth. No matter what her reaction at the time perhaps when the event these dreams portent happens, for I am sure these are more than just dreams that they are a window to the future, when it happens perhaps she can do something to prevent her death. Since according to the dreams I will not be able to aid her.

I will tell her today. I will wait by her desk in reception if necessary in order that I may tell her first thing. No matter what the consequence to myself personally I cannot let her down again.

For now though dear friends I must ready myself for the days journey. In other words it is time for work.

-

I told her dear friends, I finally told her the truth. When I arrived at work Susan was sitting at her desk when I got in. This is in itself a rare event as Susan would not normally arrive until just before the hour of nine in the morning, so that she could be there to welcome in the rush of office workers who arrive promptly at nine. Instead I found her sitting at her desk just removing her coat as I arrived. The coat looked familiar to me somehow, perhaps it was because it was the same coat she wore in to work everyday, but I think that truth be told it is something I saw in my vision.

Tarrying not a moment longer I approached Susan’s desk. She looked up, surprised to see me, or anyone for that matter, at the office so early.

“Hello Charles!” She said smiling warmly at me. “I’d heard there were a few early birds that I was coming in early for. I should’ve guessed that you were one of them.”

“Well if my habit of coming in at such an early hour has made it so that you lose sleep I am truly sorry.” I said momentarily forgetting the topic of which I had planned to speak in the face of actually speaking to the lovely Susan.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re not the only one, and besides this way the desk is covered from the moment the building opens in the morning to the moment it closes at night. I’ve been in meetings with the bosses the last couple of weeks to make sure we have it covered.” That explained her many absences in the last month or so, it also explained the new found presence of Ms. Esquilo.

“All is well then.” I said smiling.

“Sure.”

“There is actually something I must speak to you about though Susan. Something of great import.” Her face changed from its normal cheery disposition to the picture of concern in that moment.

“Okay Charles, you can tell me anything.” With this she placed her hand on my own in a token of solidarity and concern. “What do you need to talk about?”

I could tell from the tone of her voice that she thought this might be my attempt at asking her out again, or perhaps a discussion about last time I had asked her out, or any other sort of personal subject such as that. Indeed I wish that that was all I needed to speak with her about. As I opened my mouth to broach the subject that I did wish to talk about the elevator arrived behind me with its customary bell tone. I checked behind me and saw a few other early comers get off the elevator and head either into our department or to other destinations on the floor. Not wanting anyone to hear our conversation, nor Susan’s undoubtedly shocked and disbelieving reaction, I twitched my head to the side in a motion that was intended to suggest we move this palaver to a more private location. Susan understood and pulled me aside into a small room that was used to store office supplies and the receptionist’s personal items while they were at work.

“What is it Charles? Now you’ve got me a little freaked out.” Her face no longer held the gentle invitation it seemed to hold when she thought I wanted to speak on matters pertaining to my heart. Now she seemed genuinely worried, but still not in a way that would lead me to believe she understood the import of the missive which I was about to deliver. Instead she seemed to expect a tragedy of a more personal type to come falling from my lips. As if I were about to tell her I had cancer or some such. Oh how I wish it were merely that and nothing more. At least then it would only be my life that were ruined and not hers as well. Not potentially the whole rest of the world.

“I must say something, but it is so strange, so utterly unbelievable that I fear you will think me a liar and a charlatan. I can only tell you that everything I am about to say is indeed true, and though I cannot prove it, not truly, it is none of it a lie.” I paused at this point, unsure of how to continue, how to begin really. Susan seemed to see my hesitation and knew the reason for it. She took my face gently in her oh so soft hands and gazed into my eyes. Her auburn eyes glowed softly, they were exactly the same shade as her hair. It was something I always loved about her.

“Charles you’ve never given me a reason to believe you would lie to me. What ever you have to say just say it, I’ll believe you. No matter what.” I nodded at this, I knew it was true. At least in normal circumstances. In this case though I wasn’t so sure, I knew that what I must tell her was so fantastic as to strain the bonds of our relationship. I took her hands into mine and held them between us while I looked her directly in the eye so that she would see my sincerity.

“Something is happening in this city Susan, something dangerous. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and I am not the only one who has seen this thing. There is a presence here, a malevolent and dark force that has corrupted an innocent creature and turned it to it’s evil will. Seemingly normal and innocent creatures have begun acting in ways that are neither normal nor innocent. I have been followed, harassed and attacked by these creatures and now events have occurred which make me believe I am not the only one in danger. Indeed the whole of the world may be at risk. In this case though I am speaking of a more personal and immediate danger. What I am trying to say is I’ve had dreams Susan, about you. They are not the pleasant dreams that I would wish for you to feature in, not even close. In them you are in danger from this menace, they are somehow trying to harm you and despite your pleas for help from me there is nothing that I can do for you. This is why I have decided to speak to you about this, so that if you see a danger approaching in this most innocent of guises you may be able to defend yourself in an appropriate manner.” I had expected her to smile, or laugh at me. Perhaps to ask me if I were kidding and where the cameras were. Instead she nodded solemnly, her eye full of fear.

“What are they Charles? The ‘innocent’ things you’re talking about. What are they?” I took a deep breath before continuing. Even if she believed me up to this moment this was the breaking point. The time when she would dismiss me as a prankster or even a madman. And could I blame her? No I could not. For I felt mad, even now I am not sure how I managed to remain credulous. I can only assume it was our strong bond that made her so trusting of me.

“Squirrels Susan. Squirrels are the animal which I speak of. I know it sounds incredible but as I said I have seen them acting suspiciously, acting against their own nature. They have become a threatening presence in my life, and I fear they will soon be such a presence in your own.” She nodded at this, the fear in her eyes only increasing. With I sigh of relief I realized she believed me.

“But why me Charles? I haven’t seen them acting strangely, why would they come after me?”

“I fear that it may be my fault. The creatures are possessed by some sort of intelligence that goes far beyond what a normal animal of their type should have. I believe that they have been watching me, perhaps even reading my journals. They know of you through me and know that it would be most damaging to me personally if you were harmed. It is all because of my strong feelings for you that they would threaten you and for that I am truly sorry.” In my shame I averted my eyes from hers, staring downward at my own well-shined shoes. She squeezed my hands gently, as they were still held within her own, and it drew my eyes back up to meet hers.

“Charles you have no reason to feel ashamed! Your feelings for me are a good thing, even if these things have perverted them for their own uses. Besides I’ve known how you felt for awhile now but have been too shy to approach you about it or tell you my own feelings.” Now it was her turn to shyly avert her eyes from mine. Overcome with a welling of emotion I took her soft cheek into my hand and turned her lips up to meet my own. We kissed fully one the lips, my heart swelled in my chest at this first physical proclamation of our love for each other. Her lips tasted of strawberry and were full, soft, and moist. Until the end of my days I will remember this moment between us. This first kiss.

The kiss ended with us gazing longingly at each other from a breath’s length away. Susan’s lips turned up in a slight half smile and she seemed about to speak. This is when the door was opened from without. There stood Ms. Esquilo holding an unfashionable brown coat before her. She looked at the two of us for a moment then sneered. Without a word to either of us she hung up her coat, removed a nail kit from it and turned leaving the small room. She had upon her exit left the door to this small chamber open leaving Susan and I exposed to the rest of the world.

We untangled ourselves from each other and smiled nervously.

“We shall have to continue this conversation at some other point I suppose.”

“Yes, I should be getting to work anyway.”

“As should I.”

“Maybe we can grab that drink? After work? I’ll be leaving at the same time as you tonight.” My heart thumped in my chest at the thought of our long delayed date plans finally coming to fruition, even if it was only to discuss such a dismal subject.

“I think that is a very good idea indeed.”

“Good.” She smiled brightly at this revealing that her thoughts about our date must mirror my own. “I’ll meet you out here then after work. I’ll be by the elevator.”

“Excellent.” I said as we exited the supply room and prepared ourselves to part ways. “I shall be there promptly. Good day Susan.”

“See you soon Charles.”

-

I went to my desk and began work. Though I must admit my thoughts were anywhere except on my numbers. I had so much to think on. The dreams, my meeting with Susan that morning, my next meeting with Susan that night, what I was going to get Susan as her ‘Secret Santa’, and of course the squirrels. There was so much to think on that I barely noticed the arrival of my brother in arms Todd Ed.

“Hello Todd.” I said smiling as he walked quickly to his desk. “How was the rest of your weekend.”

“Uneventful.” He replied. “I’m just not sure if that’s a good thing or not. I mean I didn’t see any of the…” He looked around as if worried someone were listening to our conversation. “I didn’t see any of the squirrels, but I also didn’t catch any. I’m starting to think they’re too smart for our traps.”

“It is a concern of mine as well.” I responded. I was suddenly unsure if I wanted to share with my compatriot the news that I had told Susan of our plight. What if he wanted to join us this evening on our date? What if he involved himself with us to such a point that I was never again to be alone with her? It was almost as much of a concern to me as our inability to trap the squirrels. I decided that despite my worries I must share all with my new friend, otherwise what was the point of friendship? “Todd I must tell you something.” He looked up from his desk, worried about what might follow. “This morning when I arrived at work I told Susan about them. About the squirrels. I had to. I’ve been having dreams, more than dreams really I can only describe them as visions. I saw what I believe was a threat to Susan. Perhaps it is only my subconscious working against me, or perhaps it is whatever alien intelligence has been controlling things around here. Either way I felt that I had to tell her.” He nodded in concurrence with me but he still looked worried.

“How’d she take it? Is security on the way up to escort you out of the building?” I smiled at his small joke.

“No. Indeed she took it very well. We…” I felt myself begin to blush in embarrassment as I spoke on this part of the subject. “We are to get together this evening and discuss the problem in more detail.”

“Riiiight.” He said grinning. “And all you’re gonna do is talk eh?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” I said though it was obvious from my deepening blush that I did indeed know exactly what he meant.

“Okay. Well just be careful out there.” He grinned again. “And make sure you fill me in tomorrow on how the ‘information sharing’ went.”

I nodded, still embarrassed as much by the subject as by my obvious reaction to it. With that we both attempted to get our work done, though I fear with both failed miserably. There was just too much on our minds.

-

When I stepped out of my department I half expected to find that Susan had disappeared again, but I was happy to discover that that instinct was wrong. For when I emerged into the reception area there she was waiting for me by the elevator. A smile lit up her face as she saw me. It was equal parts joy at seeing me and relief that she was no longer alone with the burden I had been forced to place on her shoulders.

“Hello Charles.” She said as I stepped up next to her at the elevator. “Where shall we go to talk?”

“Hello Susan.” I replied as the elevator arrived and we together stepped on to it. “I think I know a place we can go. It is a delightful restaurant near here that is dimly lit enough to be private. The best part of it is that it is within walking distance so we will not have to go down into the subway.”

“The subway?” She asked the confusion evident in her voice. “Why should we worry about that? I’ve never seen a…” She looked about as Todd often did before beginning a discussion about the squirrels. There was no need in this case as we were alone in the elevator. “I’ve never seen a squirrel down there before; I wouldn’t think it would be a dangerous place to be. Well anymore than it normally is anyway.”

“Well that is where I first saw them. That is how I knew that something was strange about these particular squirrels. I didn’t realize the full danger we were facing at that point but I knew something was wrong.” She opened her mouth as if to make a response to this when the elevator stopped at the ground floor and we were let off. Then we were forced to walk through the crowded lobby on the way to the exit and were unable to talk for that time either. I watched the people around us wearily as we made our way across the marble floor of the buildings main lobby. I thought that perhaps there would be a repeat of the strange event that had happened previously. Happily there was not a thing out of the ordinary.

Soon we were outside but before I could say another word Susan pulled me close and placed a single tender kiss on my lips. She then wrapped her arms around me and laid her head upon my chest. I put my arms around her and stroked her hair tenderly. It took me almost a full minute of our embrace to realize that she was crying, I could hear her gasping breaths and the tears wetting the front of my crisp white shirt.

I held her like that, ignoring the cold and the curious eyes of pedestrians and coworkers, until she was done with her weeping. When she finished she pulled away from me and used a tissue from her purse to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry Charles.” She said after a moment her head was turned away as if she were too embarrassed to look at me. “I’ve been holding that in most of the day. I felt like I was dealing with it all fine until I took my lunch. I went to the break room and was sitting eating an apple when I saw it. A squirrel sitting on the window sill staring in at me. We’re on the fourteenth floor! I’d never seen one up this high before! How did it even get up there? Why was it watching me? What do they want?”

I took her hand in an attempt to calm her.

“I’m not sure I can answer all of your questions Susan, but I can try to answer some of them. Let us go to the restaurant first though so that we may get out of this cold.” She nodded her head agreeing with me.

Together we walked hand in hand down the street in the direction of the small eatery that I had mentioned.

We arrived a few minutes later and despite it being so close to dinner time we were seated immediately. We were sitting in a dark corner far away from the main part of the restaurant. It was dimly lit and very private, with the exception of the staff serving us no one had a reason to enter this part of the establishment. We sat in silence looking at the menus, neither of us sure what to say. Finally the waiter arrived and took our orders. I ordered the broiled chicken with a side of roasted potatoes and a glass of spring water to drink. Susan asked for the roast beef, a baked potato and a glass of red wine to go with it. I could not blame her for indulging in comfort foods and alcoholic beverages. The news she had received today, plus the experience she’d had at lunch would make anyone, man or woman, unnerved.

We spoke timidly of inconsequentialities, our day, our jobs, what we were doing for the upcoming holidays, until our food and drinks arrived. The waiter asked if we needed anything more and we both responded in the negative. He walked off, likely thinking that we were just another couple in love that wished to be left in our own company. Unfortunately that was not an accurate description of who we were or why we wanted our privacy.

As soon as the waiter had left Susan looked up at me and waited for me to begin, leaving her food untouched for the moment.

“I am not sure where to start so I will start at the beginning.” After that I told her everything starting from the first squirrels I had seen in the subway station to the most recent strange occurrence in the lobby of the very building we work in. I told her about the tunnel in the wall behind my desk, and of Todd’s involvement. I told her of my research and the traps we had built. I told her almost everything, leaving out only my feelings for her. Despite the fact that those very feelings had come to the surface recently I felt that it was unnecessary to belabor the point any further, and beside that I didn’t want her equating the discussion of our new found enemies with a talk of my feelings for her.

After this long speech from me we sat for a time in silence each of us deep within our own thoughts. We ate our food and drank our drinks but did not speak for what felt like a very long time indeed. We were in fact almost done our food before Susan looked up at me and spoke.

“They know I know, don’t they?”

“I believe their behavior today shows that they do, yes.”

“How do they know already? You just told them today!”

“I am not sure, perhaps they heard us from within the walls. Also…” I paused unsure if I wanted to burden her with anymore, then I decided I’d already come this far I could not be anything but completely honest with her. “Also I think it is possible that one of their human allies that I spoke of earlier is someone working with us at our office. I speak of the woman who shares your daily duties with you.”

“Rita?” She asked sounding shocked.

“Indeed. I have reason to believe that Ms. Esquilo is one of them. I cannot be sure, these are only suspicions based on some unusual behavior that I have seen from her. I have seen her watching me and when I talked about you she acted as if she didn’t know you at all despite the fact that you two share a job!”

“She is a strange woman I’ll give you that, but I can’t believe she is….what? An alien? A monster?”

“I am not sure what they are, nor am I sure that she is indeed one of their agents. But I ask you to act with caution. She is a strange woman as you say and she is the one who saw is this morning in the office supply closet. Who knows how long she stood outside the door listening to us before she entered?” Susan sat for a moment, wine glass mostly empty in her hand, and thought on this. When her eyes turned upwards to look into my own I saw that they were full of tears.

“I’m so scared Charles. What do we do?”

“For now I suggest we do nothing. We continue our research, we continue trying to trap one of them, but most importantly we continue our lives. We cannot let them scare us off our course for if we do then they have already won. For the moment they don’t seem to want to draw attention to their selves and for the moment that means we are safe. One day, I think one day in the not too distant future, they will make an aggressive move and for that day we must be prepared. That is why we will continue our work. Until then we act as if nothing is out of the ordinary. Okay?”

“Okay.” She said nodding but I could not help hearing the insecurity in her voice. I took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“We will be okay Susan. Come on let’s settle the bill and then I will accompany you to your car.” She sniffed slightly stifling her tears then nodded her head gratefully.

-

After walking the lovely Susan back to her car, and receiving one long last kiss for the evening from her for my efforts, I hurried to the subway station in time to get the last train home. I then updated my journal with what you have just read. It has been an exciting and joyous day and yet I do not feel tired. Perhaps I will go and lay in bed for awhile, perhaps then sleep will take me.

December 16, 2008

I checked the traps upon awakening from my abbreviated slumber and found them to be empty. I shall complete the mundane aspects of my morning routine and check again before I leave for work. I do not want to be late today of all days. I still can scarce believe that what occurred last night actually did occur! I cannot wait to see my lady love Susan today when I arrive to work.

-

Work was utterly wonderful today. I saw Susan upon arriving and we shared a brief kiss after whispering how much we’d missed one another into each others ears. We then spoke briefly about the squirrels, a far less romantic topic, which mostly came down to neither of us having seen anything more. Then with another quick peck on the lips we were off to our various work arenas to begin another productive day.

Though I would say my day was less productive than usual. Between thinking about Susan, the past evening, our kisses that morning, our future together, and having to discuss the whole night ‘in detail’ for Todd I did not spend much time on work. Todd seemed somewhat disappointed that I hadn’t, in his words, ‘closed the deal’ with Susan. I told him that I gentleman would not do such a thing on the first date, and that even if one had said gentleman would not speak on it. Todd nodded at this as if I’d just let slip a great secret and smiled lasciviously

Susan came back to my desk to get me around lunch hour. She said she wanted to enjoy the break with me and asked if I had brought my lunch that day. When I answered in the affirmative she seemed both pleased and relieved. I think that our lunch together was part wanting to spend time with me and part wanting me there in case anything out of the ordinary happened.

Our conversation during lunch focused only on the most prosaic of topics: our jobs, our lives, our families. Susan seemed to want to know as much as she could about me beyond the squirrels which I took as a good sign for the future of our relationship beyond the scope of these current unseemly events.

After lunch I walked Susan back to her desk, glad to see that the suspicious Ms. Esquilo was not at her desk, called away on some errand or another I suppose. I darted a glance quickly around the reception area to assure myself that it was devoid of life beyond Susan and I. Seeing that it was I leaned down and kissed her luscious lips for as long as I dared, an amount of time that lasted less than a second but seemed to echo in my mind for a much longer time.

With that I went back to work, pretending to ignore Todd’s comments and eyebrow waggling. He made reference to something called a ‘nooner’ but I was too much the gentleman to ask him to elaborate on just what that was. We spent the rest of the day talking about work, Susan, and of course the squirrels. Todd’s traps had garnered no more success than did my own. He told me that we should continue our efforts with this current bait and if we still had no results later in the week we could ‘hit the books’ again to see if there was a better alternative.

When my work day ended I bid farewell to Todd and walked up to the front of the office. There I found Susan waiting for me by the elevator dressed for the outdoors.

“Hello Charles.” She said grinning sweetly. “Going down?”

“Why yes I am Susan.” I replied my grin as wide as her own was. “I was just going home. Perhaps I can walk you to your car?”

“Thank you Charles. I think I would like that.”

When we arrived at her car we embraced and kiss with much more ardor then we had been able to show each other previously during the day. Finally the cold and our own better judgment over ruled our passions and I helped Susan into her car, closing the door behind her. With a song in my heart I walked swiftly to the subway station and took the train home.

-

When I arrived home a half an hour later I entered the apartment and was assault by a constant ringing sound pervading the entire space. One of the traps had caught something! I very carefully approached the place where I’d hung the metal tube and pulled it inside. I could here the thing moving around inside the trap. Its small claws scratching against the slick inner surface of the tube. Carefully I turned the metal tube so that the opening at the top faced me and I peeked within.

There inside was a regular looking squirrel. At first my heart sank I was thinking that despite all of my effort I had only caught an innocent woodland creature and not one of the alien things that had invaded my life. Then the squirrel stopped struggling and looked at me. I almost expected its small, shiny, black eyes to glow red with an evil light, but all it did was stare. After a moment of it sitting perfectly still and staring up at me, a behavior that could be attributed to its freezing in fear, it pulled back its lips in a snarl and bared its tiny sharp teeth. Then it let out an evil sounding hiss, if asked to describe what sound a squirrel makes I would have said it was capable of only a harmless chittering, but this squirrel made a sound that I would equate with an angry reptile.

I moved with the metal tube over to the desk I was using as a workplace to create the traps. With the hand that was free I quickly swept off a space suitable for me to work with and sat the tube there, making sure not to tip it too far to one side or the other lest the creature within were to make an escape. I took one of the caps that I’d been using to make the bottoms of the trap and fit it over the top of the tube. This one cap was different from the others though, I had gotten small holes drilled into the top of this one so that I could trap the creature for an extended period and yet keep it alive. I secured this special cap with a clamp and then put on a second clamp just to be safe. I wasn’t taking any chances with these things. That done I moved over to the safe box I had also bought and put the double capped, double clamped thick metal tube inside of it. The box was a simple but thick sided metal cabinet that I had bought many years ago to store some of my sensitive personal papers in. It was not water proof and I felt it should allow the squirrel to continue to live while still securing it from both inside influence and the danger of someone, or something, breaking in and freeing it.

That done I sat and updated this journal, there was so much to put in I was afraid I would not get it all in before the stresses of my days exertions put me to sleep. Now that I have completed this final task I say good night.

December 17, 2008

I awoke feeling refreshed and hopeful for the first time in weeks. I did not have any dreams, ill or otherwise, and yet I seem to have rested well. The first thing I did after getting out of bed was to check on my new catch.

When I opened the lock box I at first heard nothing from the squirrel. Had it escaped somehow? Had it died from lack of oxygen? I went to pick up the tube to check and as I did I heard it began to move inside. Then as I placed the tube back in to the box I heard it hiss at me once more.

I decided to leave the lock box open as I went about my morning routine of making my breakfast and my morning tea so that the creature within the tube could get some air. I locked the box again so that I could shower without worrying about the creatures escape. Then before heading out the door for work I double checked both the clamps on the tube and the lock on the safe box. Finding both secure I left for the day.

On the way to work I discovered that my squirrel escorts were back. No matter where I went I saw them watching me. In groups on the ground, in the trees, following me across the street, and waiting for me every time I turned a corner. They knew that I had captured one of them, they knew and they were displeased. I could not, and can still not, decide what was better. Their disappearance during which I did not know where they were and feared that they could attack at any moment, or their return which meant I had to see them watching me, waiting for the time when they would descend upon me and tear me asunder. Either way I was waiting for a painful and horrible end.

That end though did not come today. I arrived to work, Susan greeted my in a friendly and familiar manner but we were not able to express any more than that as there were others who had entered the floor at the same time as I did.

I waited until almost all of the people had exited the floor but dared not kiss my dear Susan lest someone saw and office gossip was started. I did lean forward and whisper to her about the catch I had made last night. She gasped audibly and asked what I did with it.

I explained who I had trapped and kept it and that my plans from there involved bringing it to the police. If they didn’t believe me there was always the scientific community and as a last resort the news media. She nodded in response to this and informed me she had a friend who worked at the New York University Science Department who would likely be very interested to see if what we thought we saw could be proven. She assured me that she hadn’t spoken to her friend on this yet but would talk to the woman if I asked it of her. I smiled as I told her that we had best keep that possibility in mind but that I was hoping it unnecessary. It was after all the job of the police department to keep us all safe. To serve and protect, it was writ upon all of their vehicles. My hope was that I could leave all this in their capable hands and then we could all go about our lives.

After our conversation I left Susan safely ensconced behind her desk and went to my own. I worked for a few minutes, trying my hardest to keep my mind on my chores, before Todd arrived. I told him about my luck with the traps and he seemed truly excited by the news. We agreed that we would each return home after work. I was to get the trap from my apartment. Todd was to pick up his seldom used car and return to my building to pick me up so that we could go to the police station together. Todd thought that traveling via subway or indeed going anywhere underground, with the trapped creature would be tempting its demonic brethren into attacking us to gain its safe return. Since Todd was to leave after me due to his later starting time, this would allow me time to get home and prepare both the trap and the research I had been collecting as evidence for the police. This was so that we could make our case with as much preparation and forethought as possible, hopefully making us more trustworthy and believable in the eyes of the law. I agreed with Todd’s plan and told him so. The only thing left to do after that was wait for the end of the day.

This wait seemed indeterminable. I tried to keep focused on my work as much as I could but I knew that this was a losing battle. The only real moment in my day when I was lifted out of my own thoughts was during lunch with Susan.

I told her about our plans for the evening, she immediately offered her aid. She said that as she had a car she and I could just wait for Todd to finish work and then all drive to the police station together. I did not want her in danger of course, which driving Todd and I and our cargo would place her in. I felt though that I could not tell her this so baldly. Surely she’d balk at the idea that I needed to protect her from the same harm Todd and I were so willing to throw ourselves full force into. Instead I told her something that, though not a lie was not the full truth either. I told her that Todd and I felt it would be best for her to stay uninvolved in our trip to see the authorities, as they would potentially not believe us and possibly even want to arrest us as frauds. Susan frowned as if she wasn’t entirely sure about our plan, or perhaps she saw my true reasons for wanting her to stay out of this part of it. After a few seconds of tense silence during which Susan mulled over what I had just said to her she finally nodded her consent.

“Okay Charles. I’ll stay out of it, for now. But you have to call me and let me know how it goes. You can also use it if you and Todd really do get arrested. I’ll come down and post your bail. I mean for both of you.” As she spoke she pulled a small note book and pen out of her bag and wrote her name and number upon it. She tore the page out of the book and handed it to me. As I took it from her our hands touched for the briefest of moments and this small touch drew our eyes to meet. We held this tiny contact betwixt us for a moment longer before we both pulled away each of us flustered by the others touch.

After this we both gathered up the remains of our lunch and left the break room to return to our respective places in the building.

-

A few hours later I was walking up to this building I was tired. I knew I had miles to go before I could rest but I was already feeling laid low by what I had done today and the prospect of what I still had to go through. Little did I know at that time that there would be so much more to go through than I had anticipated.

It was as I was about to walk into the building that I realized something was amiss. I knew that from this vantage point I should be able to see the traps that I had hanging from my balcony but there were none visible from here. It is true that I live very high up in the building, on the seventh floor, but the metal tubes that the traps are made of are quite large and easily visible from the ground. Yet I could not make them out, none of them. I could see one possibly even two slipping from the brackets I had holding them on but there had been more than half a dozen traps running along the railing on my balcony and none were currently visible.

Panicked that something had gone wrong I hurried inside the building and unwilling to wait for the elevator ran into the stairwell. I hurried up the stairs two at a time. By the time I reached my floor I was gasping for breath and had spots in my vision. Even through this I could see two things that filled me with dread. One the door to my apartment was wide open. Two there were two uniformed police officers standing in the hall around my apartment door. I paused for a moment, both to catch my breath and to allow my mind to come to terms with what I was seeing. After a this temporary respite I stepped forward and called out to the officers.

One turned to me. He was tall, blonde and muscular. He had a small mustache sitting like an skinny underfed caterpillar above his lips. His eyes were the same sort of ugly, fuzzy brown that I remember Ms. Equilo’s being. This coincidental similarity made me immediately dislike the officer despite having not ever heard him speak a word. When he did speak it did nothing to allay this aversion I felt for the man.

“Can I help you with something buddy?” Buddy even! As if we were on friendly terms with one another. I remember a time when men treated one another with respect until a mutual familiarity had developed. Not anymore it would seem.

“Yes officer.” I replied my voice full of the cordiality that is was lacking. “This is my apartment, what has happened?” His face immediately changed, no longer was the aloof lawman trying to get rid of curios on lookers, now he turned all business.

“Stay where you are please sir, I need to get the Detective to speak to you.” He turned his head peering into my apartment through the open door. I could see that he was speaking to someone just within the door but could not hear what he said or who he was saying it to. A moment later a third man stepped from the door. He was a large man, with a pot belly and a ruddy face which spoke to too much time spent with a bottle of beer in his hand and not enough spent training as any good police officer would do. As he walked toward me I could hear him wheezing slightly, either he was a smoker too or he was just so out of shape that the short jaunt down the hall had tired him out.

“Hello sir.” He said through his heavily gasping breaths. “I’m Detective Redd, this is your apartment you say?”

“Indeed.” I responded trying to sound calm, I feared that on this point I was not succeeding. “What has happened here? Was there a break in?”

“It appears there was sir, though we aren’t certain what the motive was. There doesn’t appear to be much taken, your stereo and records are all still in place and the jewelry and such in your bedroom is untouched. The only thing that seems to have been targeted was a small lock box. Did you perhaps keep anything important in this box?” I could tell by the way that he looked at me that he did indeed think I kept something of value in the box, though he did not believe it to be anything so simple as money or jewels. Perhaps he thought it was drugs or weapons of some kind. Either way I did not think the truth was going to dissuade him from these suspicions.

“I kept nothing of importance in that box at all Captain.” I responded, purposefully exaggerating his standing on the police force to flatter him. “Just some papers that I, mostly insurance related items that I needed to keep safe in case of fire.”

“I see, I see. It is not captain by the way, you can call me detective or just Redd that’s what most people call me.” He smiled as he said this, a slow easy smile which I am sure was meant to disarm me. He also offered his hand for me to shake. I of course shook the meaty thing as I did not want him thinking me adversarial in nature. He then turned his massive body so that it was parallel to mine and we were both facing my apartment. He put his thick sweaty palm upon my back and began to lead me toward the entry to my home. “You should come in see what they did, maybe you can shine some light on this all.”

“What they did?” I asked genuinely confused. “I thought it was a simple robbery?”

“It was, it was but I’m afraid there was also some vandalism and…well maybe you’d better see for yourself. Although I have to warn you it is a little upsetting. You should take a breath maybe, prepare yourself for it.”

“Prepare myself? Is the vandalism really so bad?”

“Ah…well.” He said. He seemed ill at ease and unsure as what to say next. I was suddenly sure that he wanted me to be at least somewhat unprepared for what lay within my small home.

We stepped up to the door and he entered before me, his bulk blocking my view until we were all the way inside. What I saw in my previously small and neat dwelling was nothing short of desecration. My books were the first thing I noticed, they were scattered about the room, some were destroyed entirely ripped apart as if savaged by animals. The only good thing about this I realize now is that the police would be unlikely to notice the sheer amount of books I had on the topic of squirrels. I though this good news as I wasn’t sure anymore that going to the police was the best option for the near future. I was so distracted by the destruction of my beloved library that I did not notice the walls of my apartment until the detective directed me to look at them.

Smeared across the clean white wall of my home was enough blood that surely whatever poor creature it had come from was dead now. I felt my mouth hanging agape as I turned in a circle around my living room and took in the gore. When I had almost completed my turn I saw that a single word had been writ upon the wall behind me. It was written in the same blood as the smears and it read: ‘Mortimer’. This stopped me cold, not because I recognized the name for I did not, but because I knew the squirrels had done this and I could not comprehend how they had written anything, much less a man’s name, on my walls.

“Do you know any Mortimer sir?” The detective asked. He stood next to me also taking in the wall. I could feel the heat rising off his well rounded body as he breathed heavily next to me.

“No detective. I can honestly say I know of no one named Mortimer. Nor do I have any idea of who would do such a thing to my home.” I tried to reign in my anger, but I am certain it was evident in my voice. I was worried about it at the time but now I think it was perhaps the best reaction I could have had. Who would not be angry in my position. As long as the police were left in the dark about who and what I suspected to be the cause of this assault on my home I would be fine.

“There’s no one who’s been mad at you? No one holding any grudges against you for any reason? No one in the building or at work maybe a little angry about something, it might even be something you think of as petty or small?”

“No.” I responded honestly. “I am well liked at work as far as I know and I barely know my neighbors well enough to recognize them let alone have arguments with them. Further I can think of no one either here or at my office with the name Mortimer. Which you must agree is an unusual name in this day and age.”

“Yeah, I guess it is at that.” The officer agreed.

“This…All this blood do you believe someone has been…injured?” I could not bring myself to suppose that some poor soul had died due to the squirrels.

“What?” He looked around as if just realizing the sheer amount of blood decorating my walls. “Oh no. We had some lab guys in here already testing it. Though we don’t know where its from we do know it isn’t human, so you shouldn’t worry about that too much. It may even be pig’s blood like they sell at butcher shops.”

“I see.” I said feeling relief at the same time I knew it was not so harmless as to be from a butcher shop, I knew that somewhere some poor animal had died to send me a message. “Could I perhaps look around a bit officer? To see if anything has indeed been taken?”

“Sure just be careful not to touch anything too much. We don’t think the person or persons involved were anywhere but in here but it is still better to be safe than sorry. Don’t you think?”

“Of course officer. I will be the picture of caution.” I immediately walked toward the back of my apartment, towards my bedroom where I keep this journal and the other volumes I have written. It was also where I kept the rest of my traps that weren’t hanging upon the balcony. As I walked I heard the officer call out from behind me.

“Oh yeah there was something else I wanted to ask you.” I turned, suddenly worried that he had been holding back and was now going to hit me with a sally of queries questioning my sanity.

“Yes detective?”

“You don’t have a television? Or a DVD player or something? You don’t like the must see TV?”

“Ah. No I am not a overly big fan of such entertainment, as you can see I don’t even listen to much in the way of ‘modern’ music. On the rare occasion when I wish to watch a classic movie I go to a revival theatre or rent it from the local video store and watch it on my computer. My parents taught me that television rots the brain.”

“So did mine, so did mine. Still I can’t mess my shows. Not surprisingly I like the detective shows. Those CSI guys are very clever, always getting there man. Like the Mounties they are!” I let out a small laugh at this as much because I found his slight witticism to be humorous as because I felt relieved that he hadn’t been waiting to spring some verbal trap upon me. He smiled in reply to my laugh. “You can go check the rest of the place sir, but we need you to come down to the station maybe, so we can ask some more questions? It shouldn’t take long I don’t think.” Despite his making it sound like a polite invitation I had the idea that saying no to his request to accompany him to the station was not an option, at least not one that I should choose if I wanted to remain above suspicion and under his radar. I simply nodded in response to this and headed into my bedroom.

It was true what the detective had said, nothing seemed disturbed back here. I checked the traps first and found them to be still hanging from the outside of my window sill. I could not check too closely as I did not want to arouse interest from the detective. Next I checked my journals and found them also unmolested. This done I saw no further choice but to make my exit with the detective and accompany him to the police station.

As we exited the building a few moments later I spotted Todd walking towards the building. He saw me in the company of the police and seemed to freeze for a moment. To his credit it was only that brief pause, that tiny twitch in his demeanor and then he continued walking right past us as if nothing was amiss. The detective and the other officer with me did not even notice him as we walked to the car.

The uniformed officer, not the blonde with the ratty mustache, got into the car in the drivers seat. The detective stood in front of the passenger side and proffered the back seat to me.

“Sorry my friend but we can’t let civilians in the front, regulations you understand.”

“Of course detective.” I said slipping into the back seat Redd shutting the door behind me. A moment later the red faced detective levered himself into the seat in front of me with a large grunt and closed his door. He nodded to the officer driving and we were off. As we drove away I saw Todd watching from the corner near my apartment, concern filling his face.

We soon arrived at the police station and pulled into the underground parking. A few minutes later I was sitting in a small room with a large mirror over most of one wall. It was a room I’d seen in the few movies and television shows I had watched featuring the police. I knew that despite the detective’s assurances that I was in an ‘interview room’ the more apt and more oft used term was interrogation room. I was brought to the room by the young uniformed officer that had driven us here and was left alone for a few minutes. During this time I felt the absurd urge to fidget which I suppose was the purpose of this room. The difference though is that I was not a criminal, nor was I so unintelligent that I did not realize what was on the other side of the ‘mirror’. After this short time the detective walked in to the room, his footsteps sounding almost as heavy as his breathing.

“Sorry we have to do this here but you see I don’t have an office, not one of my very own. And the area with my desk, which is called the bullpen, is very noisy. I get many headaches let me tell you.”

“This is fine detective, thank you.”

“Can I get you anything? A coffee or some water maybe?”

“No. I am fine I assure you. I just want to get this done so that I may go home and begin to clean up my apartment. I can clean up the mess can I not?”

“Oh yes! I should think so. Our guys should be almost through by now, and this shouldn’t take too long, not too long at all.”

“Excellent.” I said immediately feeling more at ease.

“First I just need to go over some things we’ve already talked about a little…” With that the detective and I went over all that we’d discussed, and then we did it again, and then we discussed both my work and home life in greater detail than before. Truly I cannot remember all that was said, I know only that I was in that room long into the night.

Eventually after what seemed like a very long time indeed I was told that we were finished with my questioning. As we walked out together the detective offered me a ride home. As much as I did not want use the subway at this hour I wanted to sit in the back of a police car again even less. I thanked Detective Redd for his help and stepped out the front door of the police station.

I walked towards the subway, I had been hoping that perhaps Todd had followed me here and waited outside but that had not happened. Instead I made my lonely way home on the subway, watching and being watched the whole way by the squirrels.

After arriving here I cleaned up the blood and the rest of the mess. Some of the library books were ripped up beyond repair so I would have to pay for those. At least it seemed as if the police had not taken any away with them as evidence. It took me a few hours to finally get it all cleaned up. I was so tired after this that I crawled immediately into bed. It was only as I was beginning to drift off that I realized I hadn’t updated this journal. Normally I would have simply gone to sleep and worried about it at some later date. This time though I was unable to rest without rising from bed and adding to the ledger. This done I will not rest. Good night all.

December 18, 2008

I have just arrived home from work after a fairly unexciting day. Nothing of note happened. Mostly my day was spent as the past few have been. Not that that is a bad thing I am quite happy that I was not attacked nor had my home broken into. And of course these daily lunches with Susan are worth the tribulations I have endured and much more. The only thing of note today at the office was Susan’s reminder that I am her Secret Santa, or not so secret in this case I suppose. The gift exchange is to be tomorrow and I am without anything suitable for a gift.

Perhaps I could get her something to help with our shared dilemma without actually revealing what is happening to us. I suppose that I could build her one of the traps, I do still have enough parts. Yes. I think this plan is likely the best I have come up with thus far. I shall give her one of the traps and if anyone questions it I will merely tell them that Susan has been having squirrel troubles. This is in essence the truth after all.

Excellent. For now I will sign off on this entry. Tomorrow night, or when ever I write next I shall fill you all in on how my gift was received. For now good eve.

December 19, 2008

How did this happen, how did we get here? I had the greatest hopes for today. I had hoped that Susan and I could share a secret joke when I gave her my gift, that she would realize my intent to keep her safe from harm. That I was trying to protect her from the scourge of the squirrels.

Susan did not see any of this though, not because she did not understand my gift. Instead it was because Susan did not come into work at all. I left her gift under the small tree that had been set up in the break room, wrapped in festive paper, with a tag attached that read Susan in my own neat script. I was the slightest bit concerned when I arrived at work at my accustomed hour and did not see her at her desk. Indeed ever since she had switched her hours around I had seen her every morning sitting at her desk when I got off the elevator, sometimes she arrived only moments before I. This morning though she was no where to be found when I arrived. As I said I was at first concerned but seeing as her coat was hanging in the office supply closet when I walked by it to get to the break room I just assumed she was off in a distant area of the office performing some task that was a part of her duties. As I walked past reception again on my to my desk I saw that she had still not returned. Now my concern switched from the idea that she may not come in today to a worry that something had happened to her. I returned to the supply closet and took a closer look. In addition to her coat I saw a familiar pair of winter boots in the closet. All this proved was that I was definitely correct in my assumption that she was in the building. I bent forward to examine her coat more closely, hoping I would not find any sign of distress on her belongings. As I made my inspection I was surprised by a voice from behind me.

“Can I help you?” I stood quickly and turned to see Ms. Esquilo standing before the supply closet’s door. She was holding her coat and hat and seemed annoyed to see someone blocking her way and snooping in the closet. When she noticed it was me her expression changed from annoyance to outright umbrage. “Oh. It’s you. Hello Charlie.”

“It is Charles.” I said bristling at her shortening of my name.

“Right. I forgot. Can I help you Charles?” I was at a lost unsure what to say as I did not trust this woman and could not give her the truth. I muttered something about looking for staples and stepped around her to exit the supply closet. I started immediately for my desk without looking back when I heard her call out behind me. “Charles!” I turned to see her standing in the closet’s doorway holding a box of staples out towards me. “You forgot these.”

I stepped hastily back to where she stood and scooped the box into my hand trying not to touch her as I did so. She smiled smugly as I thanked her politely and walked back to my desk. I knew I had not fooled her at all. The real question was where was Susan? She hadn’t returned to her desk at all during that whole exchange. I tried to put my worries from my head for now as there was nothing I could do about it at the moment. Perhaps she was merely in an early meeting or running an extended errand. Perhaps she would arrive at my desk just before lunch as had been her custom these last few days.

She did not. I was worried and told Todd so. He suggested that perhaps she had simply taken ill, that there was in his words ‘a bug going around’. I could see in his face that he did not believe his own words though, he was concerned as well. We spent the rest of the day in uncomfortable silence, which was unusual especially from Todd.

When my lunch hour came I stayed at my desk, not working, eyes glued to the aisle where Susan usually appeared from. I was afraid that if I got up and tried to find her at her desk I would miss her, or worse would run into Ms. Esquilo instead. I stayed where I was for a full half hour, not technically starting my lunch or so I told myself, until Todd finally said I should go see if Susan were at her desk. He told me he’d watch for her is she were to come to our area in the back.

I hurried up to the front, suddenly anxious to get there as if by walking up to the front and ignoring my fears I could will Susan to appear. I stepped into reception and found only Rita Esquilo. She was facing mostly away from me talking on the phone and doing her nails. I stopped where I was trying to take in the whole of the reception area without being seen, but it was for naught as Susan did not make an appearance.

I returned to my desk, my heart falling to my feet. I was not sure what it meant that I had not seen Susan for the full day but I knew it was not good. I sat back down, my lunch discarded at the side of my desk. I was no longer hungry. I could think of nothing except for the missing Susan.

Some unknown amount of time later a woman who was unknown to me stepped into our aisle to inform Todd and myself that it was time for our office Christmas celebration in the break room. I told Todd to go on ahead without me. I had no interest in celebrating and was sure I would be unable to fake merriment in my current state of worry. I stayed there at my desk as the others engaged in their revelry. That is until the alarm went off. It was not the fire alarm that I had heard on several occasions since starting my position here rather it was a different yet no less urgent sound. I stood up and gazed over the side of my cubicle, from this position I could see the few people who remained in this area hurrying toward the exits coats carried in their arms or being quickly thrown on. These were not the stairs or elevators located in the reception area but rather the fire exits located towards the back corners of the building. Following suit I picked up me own coat and hurried for the exit.

Down on the ground level I pushed through the doors and into the bright, hard afternoon light. It was cold and I was glad I had taken the extra moment to pick up my coat. As I mixed in with the rest of the crowd I looked around for familiar faces. I was hoping to see Susan of course. Seeing her would mean that she had just been busy, kept away from her desk by her duties, but I did not see her anywhere in the crowd milling in front of the office. Instead I spotted Todd straining to see through the multitude that had gathered in the cold. When he saw me he hurried over. Poor Todd had not been able to gather up his belongings and was therefore without a coat.

“Do you know what is happening?” I asked him leaning close so I could be heard over the crowd. “What does that alarm mean?”

“It’s the one they use for bomb threats and terrorist shit.” Todd responded. I saw him reach for his cigarettes and then he looked at me and replaced them out of respect for my dislike of his habit. “I’m not really sure what happened just that a woman opened up one of the presents and flipped out. She started yelling about bombs and next thing I know we’re being rushed out here freezing our asses off.” He paused and looked around quickly. “Any sign of Susan?”

“No.” I replied dissolutely. “I have not seen her anywhere.” I saw Todd about to answer when just then I noticed someone standing across from our building, someone familiar. It was the young police officer from the previous evening. The blonde man with the mustache. As I looked towards him he turned and disappeared down the street. I was about to take chase when I heard Todd speak my name in a hesitant voice.

I turned to see what ho hailed me for and instead saw two representatives from the building’s security walking towards us, with them were my superior and HIS superior. My apprehension only increased when they stopped directly in front of Todd and I. The security officers looked briefly toward the executives as if to confirm instructions that they already knew.

“Sir can you please come with us? We have some questions for you.” To my utter shock they were talking to me. I rarely did anything to draw attention to myself, let alone attention from building security.

“Of course sirs.” I said my anxiousness apparent in my voice. “Anything I can do to help out.” When I finished speaking the two security agents took me by the arms, one on each side of me, and led me past the crowd and into the building. The rest of the population of the building stared at me a look of rabid curiosity and titillation on their faces as I was led past. Then we marched past a familiar face in the crowd, Rita Esquilo stood amidst the rest of the group a sneer of superiority writ large upon her face.

As I was led through the front doors of the building I could hear an announcement coming from behind me telling people that it was safe to return to the building and to their jobs.

The men brought me to a small room off of the monitor filled security room, as we walked past I could see people already heading back to their normal lives. It seemed to me as if this would never be me. I would never get my ‘normal’ life back. I was told to sit in a chair and wait. The room was small and barren. There was nothing in it save two chairs and a table which took up most of the room. The walls were bare and painted a plain white. One could tell simply by looking around the room that it was not a place meant to bring guests into, nor was it meant for employees whom had a bright future in the company. A month ago being brought into this room would have made me quake in terror, today I could scarcely make myself muster a few moments of concern for my job. My fears were more related to leaving Todd and Susan alone in this building that had been invaded by the enemy. So I sat alone in a room meant to scare me and I felt no fear.

This is how I found myself in an interrogation room for the second time this week, not that this one was as elaborate as the other but it was still the same in all the important ways. Again I was left waiting for a time. I was wondering what the security people and the company executives were doing during this time. Checking my record here at work? If so they would find nothing of note aside from the fact that I am hardworking and conscientious man with impeccable attendance. Were they calling the police? This worried me a great deal. If they were to call the authorities they may discover that I had already been involved in an incident earlier this week, true the episode in question was not in anyway my fault but both the police and my employers might not see it that way. The most pressing question in my mind currently was what I was doing here? What did they suspect me of? Was it about Susan? About the squirrels?

The door opened and my superior Mr. Scoiattolo. Scoiattolo is a short, portly man with grey, short cut hair and thick square shaped glasses. Today he was dressed in a red velvet coat with white trim and matching pants. It confused me for a moment until I remembered the Christmas party. Mr. Scoiattolo had been playing Santa Claus and I could think of no man in our office more suited to the role. Scoiattolo was usually a jovial man, often given to humorous anecdotes and great gusts of laughter. Not today it would seem.  He looked at me in a way that I can only call sympathetic. Which considering the circumstances came as something of a surprise to me.

“Hello Charles.” Scoiattolo said sitting in a chair across the table from me. “How are you holding up?”

“Holding up sir?” I responded confused by this unusual greeting. In the moment of silence that followed his query I found myself searching for his meaning. The only answer I could come up with is that he was referring to our increased work load that came in the months before Christmas. “I’m fine sir, though I am a little busy.” I hoped that this would make him realize I had more important things to do than sit in this tiny room all day, and that if he realized this I might be allowed to leave. No such thing happened though; instead he smiled a strangely gentle smile and continued to look at me for a moment.

“Of course, I understand. We just need to work out a few things that happened upstairs at the Christmas party.”

“But sir I wasn’t even at the Christmas party. I stayed at my desk to finish my work during that time.”

“Oh we know that Charles. It was actually about a package that was left in the break room early this morning. The package had your name on it and security says you were the only one on the floor at that time of day. Do you know what package I’m referring to?”

“Of course. It was a gift for Susan, I mean Ms. Ecureuil. We were supposed to give gifts for this ‘Secret Santa’ program and I drew her name.”

“Ms. Ecureuil? What do you mean Ms. Ecureuil? You are talking about Susan?”

“Of course.”

“I see.” He was silent for a moment as he made a note on the sheaf of papers he had brought into the room with him. After making this note he looked up at me again. “Charles do you know what was in that package you left for…that you left in the break room?”

“Yes. How could I not know that? It was my gift after all.”

“Well perhaps you could help us out by telling us what it is? We are at a loss and, though we’re embarrassed to admit it, we thought it was a bomb at first.”

“A bomb?” I sounded shocked but this wasn’t subterfuge on my part I was actually surprised that such a mistake would be made over a simple present.

“That’s right. It was a large pipe, I’m sure you’ve heard of a pipe bomb haven’t you Charles?”

“Ah. Of course. I did not intend to cause panic. I had just heard that Susan, that is Ms. Ecureuil, was having problems with squirrels…”

“Squirrels?” He asked cutting me off mid-sentence.

“Yes. She told me that they were in her backyard, eating the food from her birdhouse.”

“I see.”

“So I decided to make her a trap to catch them, the squirrels. It was under the twenty dollar price limit and it seemed a suitable gift for a fellow worker.”

“I suppose it is perfectly acceptable Charles, it just seemed suspicious under the circumstances.”

“Circumstances sir?”

“Yes circumstances, like the terrorist attacks, like the many threats sent to our company on a daily basis, like how your work has been on a steady incline both in regards to speed and quality, like…” His voice rose with every item he added to the list until he got to what seemed like it was going to be the last one, his voice could not get any louder, and then he stopped. He looked at me for a few seconds, his face a deep angry red and then spoke again. This time his voice was calm and serene. “You should go back to work Charles. We’ll be looking at your situation here over the weekend. We’ll let you know our decision on Monday.”

“What decision would that be sir?” I asked but I had a sinking feeling that I knew what he was speaking about even as I asked it.

“Our decision on whether or not you’ll still have a job after Monday. You should go Charles. Now.” He turned slightly away from me and concentrated on the papers in front of him, letting me know in no uncertain terms that he was done with me, perhaps for good.

I got out of the chair and was about to exit the room when a thought occurred to me. “Sir if I may ask? Was it Ms. Ecureuil who opened the package?” He turned to back to face me, perhaps surprised that I’d had the gall to continue talking to him after he’d dismissed me. What did I care of that? I doubted at the time that anything I said or did could not hurt my chances any further. In fact I still even after hours of reflection feel the same way.

“No Charles it wasn’t.” He no longer sounded angry as he spoke just very tired. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose as if he were getting a headache. Perhaps he was.

“I thought not, if she had opened it there would not have been such a panic. Who was it who did open the package?”

“Does it really matter at this point Charles? This isn’t just about the package.”

“I should say it matter sir, I should say it matters a great deal. The package was addressed to Susan, and if anyone else opened it I would think that they were breaking all kinds of rules within the office not to mention a few laws.”

“First of all it was Rita Esquilo who opened the package. Second she didn’t break and rules or laws. It was her name you drew and it was her name on the tag. I should know. I handed out the gifts.” I was struck to the core with this piece of information. Had Susan lied to me? Had she merely been mistaken? No that was impossible, besides I know whose name I had written on the tag when wrapping the gift. It had been Susan’s, of that I was sure. The only explanation for all of this was Rita Esquilo. She must have switched the names of who was giving gifts to whom, further she must have switched the gift tags when no one was looking. Somehow she’d known everything that was happening and had used it against me. Her aim was obviously to get me out of this building. To separate me from my compatriot Todd. To separate me from my lover Susan. But mostly the reason I think she went to such extremes to get me fired was so that my spirit would be broken. I would not give her the satisfaction. I held my head high, not saying another word I stepped from the small room.

As I walked out of the security office and back to elevator which would take me back to my department I thought I would feel frightened and worried about my future. I’d never really worked anywhere except Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing. I’d gotten this position shortly after graduating from college and could not even think of the trials involved in getting a new job if they were anything like that first time. In fact I suspected that if I got dismissed from this post that finding the next one would indeed be even more difficult. Still at this moment I could not bring myself to care about these trifling events. More worrisome was the chance that I would be taken away from Todd and Susan. Yes I would be able to be near to help and protect them after work hours and on weekends but I would not be able to enter this building. Security would see to that. I have since become certain that the Sciurus Cuniculus building held some importance to the squirrels and their masters. I do not know what it is but I think the Ms. Esquilo’s efforts were made to keep me from finding out.

I stepped off the elevator and saw Rita Esquilo looking at me from behind Susan’s desk. She still had that superior smirk plastered on to her face as she sat there ignoring the ringing of the phone and doing her nails. I think she expected me to be saddened or even frightened after my meeting with Mr. Scoiattolo. Instead I put my own smile upon my face. It was thin and mean. A predator’s leer. I walked past her desk shoulders square, head aloft, no sign of hesitation in my step.

Once I was past her view I changed my stride, quickened my pace and did not put so much effort into appearing confident. I had had my moment and did not care a wit if she heard I had acted otherwise later in the day. I walked to the back of the room into the lonely corner which Todd and I shared. He sat there at his desk looking far more concerned and far more frightened than I felt. Instead of taking my seat I went and stood by Todd’s desk. There seemed to me to be no point in working anymore that day, nor on Monday. I was certain that they had already made their decision.

“How’d it go?” Todd asked looking up at me. His eyes were red and I had the absurd idea that he’d been weeping.

“Not well Todd. Apparently I have underestimated our enemy. Rita Esquilo has managed to make me look quite mad.”

“That’s bad, they going to fire you?”

“I assume so. It seems likely from what Mr. Scoiattolo said to me.”

“That sucks man. Maybe we can do something. You know? Put up a fight.”

“No. There is nothing more to be done about this. My concern is no longer for myself but for you and Susan.”

“Oh! That reminds me! I found something you’ll want to see.” With that statement Todd rose from his desk and hurried past me down the aisle. I followed close behind and even though my legs were much longer than his own I found myself having trouble keeping pace with him. He walked quickly through the aisles of our department, not going toward the front lobby as I had expected him to but instead moving towards the fire stairs near the back. As he did so he talked quickly and constantly. I was surprised a heavy smoker with such a limited lung capacity could make such a continuous stream of words. “I was taking a smoke like I normally do this time of day, but I was worried about going all the way downstairs ‘cause of how they called you out like that. So I was thinking about how we went through the fire doors earlier and how normally there’d be like a second alarm when we opened the doors. I remember the day they put in that weird bomb alarm and how that alarm kept going off ‘cause they were testing it but so was the fire alarm ‘cause they had to keep opening those doors to get into the electrical panels and stuff that are in the back stairwells. Well I thought about all that and I realized that the alarm, the fire alarm that is, hadn’t gone off this time when we’d opened the fire doors. I figured they must’ve been disconnected or something so I went and checked.”

At this point we were at the fire doors in question and we stopped just before them. Todd pointed up to where some wires were emerging from beneath the pneumatic arm that allowed the door to open and close. The wires were severed, but not by a knife or wire cutters. They looked as if they had been frayed.

“Like they’ve been chewed through right?” I nodded in response to this, too deep in thought to fully articulate any words. “Well that’s not all. Come on.”

Todd pushed through the fire door. Despite what he had said earlier and what my own eyes told me I tensed expecting the alarm to blare out. There was of course no sound aside from the creak of the opening door. Todd held the door open and motioned my through.

We had stepped into a cramped concrete stairwell. There were stairs leading both up and down from this point as our floor was somewhere in the middle of the building. The edges of the stairs were painted a bright yellow and the railing the lined the side of the steps was the same color and shade. It was none of these things that seemed to interest Todd. Instead he stood in one corner of the stairway and looked almost directly up. I followed his gaze and saw what he was looking at. It was a hold no bigger than the circumference of a salt shaker. I looked from the hole to Todd slightly confused by his excitement.

“I do not understand.” I said looking back and forth between Todd and the small opening.

“I think that’s where the tunnel leads to the. The one the things were making behind your desk I think it leads here! Or maybe it goes all over the building and this is just one of the places that it goes.” I looked again at the small hole. I did seem to be approximately the same size as the one that had been made by creatures unknown in the wall behind my desk. Though there could have been other reason for it here.

“How do you know it wasn’t made for cables to run through, or for some other reason I cannot imagine because I know very little about building maintenance?”

“’Cause I think I saw one of them looking at me from it. I was standing here smoking and I thought I saw movement all the way up there. When I looked up I saw…well something and then it was gone just like that.”

“That does sound like the modus operandi of the squirrels. Perhaps we should keep a watch on this area.”

“That’s what I was thinking too.” He suddenly grew quiet and as pensive as I’d ever seen my impulsive friend be. “But I guess that we will have to be me, eh Kemo Sabe?”

“I guess so.” I answered my voice full of both sadness and concern.

After that we left the stairwell and returned to work. As I was mostly unconcerned with finishing my work at that point I kept stealing up to the front of the office to watch Ms. Esquilo. I wanted to see if she were engaging in any strange activates. With the exception of mostly ignoring her job, which was office work and answering phones, and the exorbitant amount of time she spent working on her nails there was nothing unusual about her behavior. That in itself seemed suspicious to me, almost as if despite her nonchalant demeanor she knew I was watching her.

I waited until it was almost time for me to leave for the day and mare my last trip up to the front. I did not want to let Esquilo see me leave and had concocted a plan with Todd. He would wait a few second after I left my desk and call Rita at the front. Though she had mostly ignored calls coming from outside the building she almost always answered calls from within, which were identified by a different ring. I attributed this to the fact that if one of the higher ups called and found out she were ignoring her duties she would be fired as quickly as I had been. I had no clue as to what Todd planned to say when he called, only that he planned to lure Esquilo away from the reception desk. When I asked him what he was thinking of doing he had merely told me that he would ‘handle it’. So there I stood, brief case held tightly in my sweaty palm listening to the rasp of Esquilo’s nail file as she did her nails for the umpteenth time that day. Her habit of filing her nails over and over reminded me of something I had read in my squirrel research. Squirrel’s teeth were constantly growing during their life; as a result they had to continue to chew on hard things as a way to keep them filed down and sharp. This similar behavior in the receptionist was the final proof that I needed that Esquilo was one of them. As I was considering what to do with this piece of information that had come to me so suddenly the phone on the reception desk rang. Esquilo quickly dropped the nail file and quickly picked it up cutting the phone off mid-ring.

“Hello.” She said her voice deeper and seemingly more threatening than normal. Between the change in her demeanor and the abbreviated greeting, normally she would have said the company name and identified this as the accounting department even if the call was internal it was company policy, I was suddenly sure that she knew who was on the phone, and perhaps knew our plan. Indeed if she were one of our enemies it was possible that she was somehow communicating with or even controlling the squirrels. It would be like have thousands, perhaps even millions, of innocuous almost unseen little spies to do your bidding. “I see. Well I will have to come check that out won’t I?”

With that Esquilo hung up the phone, rose from her seat, and walked off toward the break room. I hurried past the door and quickly went to the stairwell beside the elevator. I could not risk the elevator taking too long to get to this floor and having Esquilo come back. I walked down one flight of stairs, watching for small squirrel burrows in the walls as I did so, and exited on the twelfth floor. From here I pressed the elevator button and descended to the lobby.

When I got off the elevator on the ground floor I noticed I higher amount of people looking at me than would normally. At first I attributed this to squirrel related phenomena. It was not until I noticed the way security nervously watched my actions, that I realized it was nothing more unusual than a reaction to the day’s earlier events. Of course most, if not all, of these people had seen me led off by security after a bomb scare. Many of them must have thought me unstable or at least very disgruntled.

It was with an immense sense of relief that I stepped from the front doors of the Sciurus Cuniculus building and stepped into the cold afternoon sunlight. That relief held only for a few moments until I saw the blonde police man again. I was once again going to blame this on the squirrels until I realized that it was very likely that the police had actually taken an interest in me. Between the suspicious events at my apartment and today’s scare I was not surprised that they had someone following me.

Ignoring the officer I turned and headed down the street towards the subway. I decided in that moment that perhaps a police presence was a good thing. It seemed unlikely that the squirrels would try anything with a witness from the authorities so close by me.

The ride home was uneventful and now that I have updated this ledger with today’s sad news and interesting realizations I will allow myself to get some rest. Good night for now.

Part 3: Free Fall

"How awful to be caught up in the terrible squirrel cage of self.”

- Millicent Fenwick

“Squirrels are among the meekest of God’s creatures”

December 19, 2008

They follow me, I can go no place, find no relief from their relentless eyes. The squirrels are out there. They have many agents and I am their enemy. I have gotten what I believe to be the final book needed on the subject of these invaders. We shall see if I can find succor within the pages of this volume.

They here.

They’re in the walls.

I can hear them scratching.

They’ll kill us all like they killed my heart.

They are death come among us.

December 20

I believe I have found the starting point, where the squirrels came from. Some will laugh but I can find no rational explanation for these things that are happening. Considering the day I think this book, The Book, has given me what I need. A starting point. PROOF!

“And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.”

That is where it all began! But we also see that we were given dominion over these creatures. So what happened? Where did we lose control? I must read on to find out. I must know all that I can. The truth is within my grasp.

-

I just received a call from Detective Redd. I was surprised to hear that he was working on a Sunday, especially on such a minor case as mine. He asked me if I owned a dog or if I had heard of any dogs missing from my neighbors. It seemed that they had tested the blood on my walls and discovered that it was dog’s blood. I told him I hadn’t heard of any missing pets, which was the truth, and that I had no idea why someone would want to paint my walls with dog’s blood, which was a lie. It was the squirrels. It was just like in Russia. It was a warning. If I didn’t back off they’d tear my guts out like they’d done to the dog there.

-

I have found a list of unclean animals, though it does not actually list squirrels among these it does list their brethren the rat and the weasel. Is it possible that this is only the beginning? That more unclean things will rise against us? My God, ‘Great Lizards’ are also listed! What could that mean?

-

Another passage, this one being the most important. It sounds like a proclamation that would bolster the good people of this Earth until you realize the full implications.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
-Matthew 5:4-6

Monday

It is the End of Days, so to speak. I jest of course. It is probable that it is the end of my time at Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing. I am not sure that I care. My studies this past weekend have led me to conclude that what I am trying to stop is no less than the end of the world as we know it by the forces of darkness. These forces are powerful indeed and great in their numbers but they have made one mistake in their persecution of me. They left me a name. Mortimer. Mortimer is the name of my enemy and they will fall. I swear this on my life.

For now though dear ones it is time for me to march into a different battle. It is time for me to return to the place of my greatest failure and face the punishment for my mistakes and the victories of my enemies. I shall return to Sciurus Cuniculus I will write again soon to let you all know how my world has been affected at a later time.

-

Hello my friends. This may very well be my last entry as I make it from the front lines as it were. I write this from a bench in the subway station where I first saw the creatures.

Todd is dead. Susan is dead. I am all that remains. And soon I will join them. I will do so with joy in my heart. They kill me in jest and I die in earnest.

Let me try to reorder my thoughts and start from the beginning. I arrived at work this morning later than my accustomed time. What did I care for punctuality when I was to be fired that very day? I walked into the lobby and was expecting to be approached immediately by security. When this did not happen I made my way to the elevator and took it up to the fourteenth floor of the building. I stepped off the carriage and saw the reception desk. I was hoping that on this my last day here I would find Susan sitting in her spot waiting to greet me with a bright smile and a warm word. Alas I found Rita Esquilo instead. She sat at the desk, already staring at me as I stepped from the elevator as if she knew exactly who was arriving. I expected her to make a comment, or at least to tell me that they wanted me in Mr. Scoiattolo’s office. She did neither and this left me somewhat at a loss as to what to do. Should I march into Scoiattolo’s office and get it over with? Should I simply go to my desk and work as if it were any other day?

I decided instead of hastening the meeting that I dreaded, not due to any wish to keep this position but simply due to the discomfort that would no doubt be involved, I would instead go to my desk and relieve some of my tension be conversing with Todd in a jocular fashion.

I walked past Esquilo without giving her a further thought. Moving through the aisles of the office I soon made my way to the back where Todd and I worked. I expected to find him sitting at his desk already at work, indeed this is usually the time of day which he was first arriving. I hung up my coat and sat at my desk. I had not brought my briefcase, or the book that I usually kept in it, with me this day as I had not thought I would be here long enough to need a lunch or the other necessities I kept inside it. I now regretted this as I sat and waited for over half an hour for Todd’s arrival. After this period he had still not appeared at his desk. This did seem strange to me. Though Todd was often late he had never been this late. I thought for a moment that he had perhaps decided to stay home this day and then remembered that he had been concerned about my meeting with Mr. Scoiattolo and would want to find out what had occurred even if he had taken ill.

My concern increased when I looked at his desk and noticed the backpack that Todd used to carry his belongings from home to work and back again. He would not have left here without it and that to my mind presented two possibilities. Either he had come here earlier than usual this morning and had gone off somewhere for an extended period or he had never left on Friday evening.

I stood up and moved closer to Todd’s desk. My intention was to search it for any sign of where he was at this moment. What I saw upon moving closer only served to worry me more. A drawer on Todd’s desk was ajar and within I could see his pack of cigarettes. I knew now that something was wrong, Todd rarely walked away from his desk and he never did so without taking his cigarettes with him. I pulled open the drawer further and what I saw sent a chill down my spine. A single acorn sat atop the cigarette pack like a tiny gravestone. I knew in that instant that Todd was in danger, perhaps I was already to late.

I ran from the aisle that Todd and I sat in, my mind racing for a place he could have gone to. At first I moved toward the front of the office, towards Esquilo and the elevators. Then I remembered the stairwell and the tiny opening in the wall there.

Hurrying past the busy workers of Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing I ran full tilt now towards the fire exit that Todd had shown me only a few days before. The other office workers stared at me as if I were a new and interesting exhibit at the zoo but did not step away form their duties to see where I ran to. This was likely due to the incident on Friday, rumors spread like wildfire in this environment and the latest gossip had probably reported my firing was imminent. This caused my fellow, or rather ex office mates to assume that I was merely ‘cracking under the pressure’ I am certain. Though the truth would have been far more distressing had they known it.

I was soon at the door to the stairwell but hesitated in front of it. What would I find through this simple portal? I pushed open the door and stepped through.

The concrete floor of the stairwell was covered in acorns. They were scattered about everywhere except for a small fan of empty space which had been cleared away by the opening of the door. I had been prepared for something to be amiss but anyone who had been caught unawares would likely have walked blithely into this small chamber and slipped on the normally innocuous nut.

With a heavy feeling in my heart I moved farther into the room, careful not to step on any of the acorns. I stood at the edge of the top step and forced myself to look down.

There in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the flight of stairs leading down to the twelfth floor was Todd. He was still dressed in the same clothes he had been wearing when last I saw him on Friday evening. His brightly colored trousers and garish sports coat now seeming a ghastly counter point to what had happened. He lay on his front but his neck had been so twisted out of shape that his face looked up toward me. His tongue was extended from his mouth in a swollen fashion that would have been humorous had it not been so ghastly. His normally ruddy face was now a pallid death mask. His brown eyes stared up at me blankly, already glazed over with the mist of death.

With a gasp I stepped away from the brink and felt my feet slip from beneath me. I fell in a heap atop a layer of the acorns but thankfully did no tumble headlong down the stairs as my friend had obviously done.

Slowly, with tears stinging my eyes, I managed to rise to my feet without falling again. I stepped back to the stairs which led down to where the body of Todd Ed lay. Walking with extreme care I descended the steps, avoiding the one or two acorns that had tumbled down the steps and stopping on the landing next to the body. I knelt down next to the lifeless shape of my former friend and closed his now vacant eyes. That small duty completed I ascended the stairs once more.

I walked slowly and carefully to the door leading back to the fourteenth floor and stepped through. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, my head lying upon the cool metal. Todd was gone, I had not seen or heard from Susan in days and I was in the heart of the enemy’s territory. I knew that I needed to leave this place immediately. I walked swiftly back to my desk. I was tempted to run but did not wish to draw anymore attention to myself than I had already.

I arrived at my desk and through my coat on. I searched frantically for my briefcase for a full minute, going so far as to crouch down and search under my desk, before I realized that I had not brought it this morning.

“Mr. Saint Gertrude!” I heard spoken in a calm but far too loud voice. It was said maliciously loud to frighten me. It worked. I stood up quickly and spun around barely able to stifle down the scream that had been rising to my lips. There stood Rita Esquilo a mean spirited smile on her face. “Oh I’m sorry Mr. Saint Gertrude did I surprise you?” I could tell by the look on her face and the tone in her voice that not only did she know she had surprised me but that it was exactly what she had intended to do. “I just came back here to tell you that Mr. Scoiattolo will see you now.”

“I see.” I said regaining my composure. “Thank you. Shall I follow you to his office?” Not that I needed to be shown the way. I just knew that I was not to be left alone from this point on. That I was to be escorted everywhere like a common criminal. Ms. Esquilo turned and began to walk down the aisle towards the executive offices for this department. They were located on the other side of the building from us, across the reception area and elevator lobby.

“I suppose if anything good is to come of this whole situation Charles, may I call you Charles?” I said nothing in response to this, I merely kept walking. “Well, if there is anything good to come of this Charles it is that you won’t be stuck alone in that little corner now. I imagine it would’ve been quite a lonesome place to sit during the holiday season.” I could not believe my ears what she was saying did not only mock Todd’s death, but it was tantamount to admitting her part in the murder. As she finished speaking she turned her head and gave me a sly half smile. I said nothing again, indeed could think of nothing to say. I knew that I should attempt some witty rejoinder or sardonic dismissal to show that her tactics were not getting to me, but I could not think of anything. I had lost my friend less than ten minutes ago and she was teasing me about it as if Todd were nothing more than a pet goldfish. I felt rage boiling up in me and saw her grin widen in response to my show of emotion. I knew that if I raged at her like a drunken sailor I would allow her to score another point in this war that she and her rodent brethren were waging against me. As far as I was concerned they had already scored far too many points in their favor, I would not allow them to gain any more advantage over me if I could help it.

We stopped then in front of a frosted glass door which bore the name Hamilton Scoiattolo in large fancy script across it.

“Well here we are.” She stood to the side of the door like some sort of insane game show hostess. That sly smile still stuck to her pale mousey face. “I do hope that it goes well Mr. Saint Gertrude, despite the rumors I’ve heard. It is a bad time for anyone to be without a job.” With that she brushed past me, a scent of maple and mulch clinging to her, and walked back towards the reception area.

I hesitated a moment. Why should I even bother entering this room? I asked myself. Why not just walk to the elevator, take it down to the lobby, and exit this building, and this life, for good? At first I had no go answer to this question, indeed it would be both easier and more satisfying to leave them stewing in this mess. Then I realized that there was still a chance that many of these people were not aligned with the dark ones. That the hundreds of good people employed at Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing were in real and looming danger and that perhaps I was the only one who could help them. With a deep breath to ready myself for the battle that lie ahead I turned the ornate door knob and opened Mr. Scoiattolo’s door.

Stepping inside the impressive corner office I saw Mr. Scoiattolo standing behind his desk facing forward. I wondered for a moment why he was not sitting in the large high backed leather chair that sat behind his desk. Then the chair turned and I saw the man that sat in it. It was Mr. Sciurus himself. Albert Sciurus was one of the two men who, along with his partner Franklin Cuniculus, had started the then small Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing Company. That had been almost 20 years ago now and the company had grown to a respectable size and had grown from a two man operation to a large publicly traded company that employed more than three hundred souls. Myself included, that was still true, at least for another few minutes.

Mr. Sciurus held out a hand gesturing to a single straight backed wooden chair that sat across from him on the other side of Mr. Scoiattolo’s large ornate oak desk. I sat quietly in the chair which creaked slightly under my weight. The room was so deathly silent that the creak sounded loud indeed.

There we sat, the three of us alone in this large room which was bright with daylight shining in through the plate glass windows which took up the entire wall behind Mr. Sciurus. I was determined not to break the cold war of silence that we seemed to be holding here when I was suddenly struck with the sensation that my throat was too dry. Not having any choice in the matter I ducked my head slightly, raised a hand before my mouth and as quietly as I could, I cleared my throat. When I looked back up I saw small, smug, self satisfied smiles on the faces of my two employers. I knew in that moment that nothing I said would save my job, indeed they would probably not even listen to my impassioned pleas to watch out for the evil that stalked them within the walls of the building. All my reasons for coming into this meeting suddenly fled with the small act of clearing my throat.

“Hello Charles.” Mr. Sciurus said speaking in a calm and cultured voice. Considering I knew that he was born and raised in a small New Jersey town I knew that the lilting Cambridge voice had to be a put on. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? A glass of water perhaps?”

“No.” I replied flatly. “I am fine. Thank you for your kind offer.” Though my voice maintained its polite tenor I felt as if I were speaking unuttered insults. As if my overly obsequious tone said all I needed to say about the sham that was being perpetrated here this day.

“Well Charles I’m sure you know the reason we called you in here today.” Without waiting for an answer to his implied question he continued to speak. “There have been some problems with your performance over the past few months. Also there was the incident at the Christmas party. I’m afraid it is too much too soon Charles and we’re going to have to let you go.” Let me go! As if I were anxious to leave this job that I had held loyally for so many years! As if the only thing that kept me employed here was their will! I raged under my skin but kept my surface calm and serene.

“I see.” I replied evenly. “I suppose than that there is nothing I can say to change your decision in this matter?”

“I’m afraid not. We just can’t have someone so…unstable working here. We’ve done everything we can to facilitate you since the incident earlier this year, we understand that your situation was, and is, delicate.” I could only assume from this statement that he was referring to the incident where my desk and personal items had been invaded by persons unknown. An attack against my self and my property that I now attributed not to my fellow workers but instead to the squirrels that had tried so hard to destroy my life. “We moved your desk to that empty corner when you asked. We kept the, as you put it, ‘invasive and prying’ coworkers that you seemed so upset by from approaching you unless absolutely necessary. Still your work has been consistently unfinished and you insist on disrupting the work place.” At this point in the conversation Mr. Scoiattolo leaned down and whispered something to Mr. Sciurus, it was the junior man’s first contribution to the proceedings. “Yes thank you, I almost forgot.” Mr. Sciurus said to the other man before turning back to me. “Then there is the matter of the large gouge we found in the wall behind your desk. We know you did it as it was too deep and uniform to be an accident or simple wear.” The two men stared at me for a moment as if expecting a response. When none was forthcoming Mr. Sciurus’ face grew red with barely suppressed anger. “Well Charles do you have anything to say for yourself?” This was my moment and I would not be silenced now.

“Yes sirs. I have a few things to say actually. There is something going on at this company, something that you are both either willfully blind to or, more likely in my opinion, a sinister and pervasive part of. A dark force has invaded not just this building but this entire city and it seems to me that you know of this infestation or are very stupid men.” I saw there mouths drop open in shock at almost the exact same moment. I am sure that they had expected mumbled apologies and perhaps a mulling pleading for my job. Instead I intended to lay all that I had found about the squirrel’s plans out before them, showing them to be either duped or duplicitous. “Right now in this building there are hundreds perhaps thousands of the creatures running unchecked through the walls, ducts, and who knows where else. That ‘gouge’ you mentioned earlier was an attempt by myself and one of the few truly brave men of this company, my dear friend Mr. Todd Ed, to investigate and put a stop to this invasion. Now that man lay dead in one of the stairwells of this very building, lay dead for almost three full days, and you expect me to believe that you knew nothing of this?” I saw their mouths moving, trying to form a response through the cloud of rage and surprise that was no doubt filling they’re minds. “I do not know which of you is the master mind behind this assault, nor do I care. I know that you are both guilty either of actually perpetrating these crimes or allowing those who would to go about they’re unimpeded. I do know that Rita Esquilo is involved, that she has somehow managed to prevent Susan Ecureuil from coming into work and has usurped her position here. Now that same woman has lured Todd to his ultimate demise and here you sit safely ensconced behind your desk and you watch it all happen. Your hands clean of Todd’s blood, your ears untroubled by his final gasping breaths.” I stopped there breathing heavily impressed with my own eloquence. The two men stayed in their positions staring at me for a moment, each carrying a look of surprise on their faces. Either they truly did not know the full extent of what was occurring within the walls of this building or they were shocked that I would lay it out for them so boldly.

“Charles I don’t know what to say.” Mr. Sciurus said after a moment of silence. “All that I can say is that you need to get help.” I was shocked by this statement. At first I thought he meant that I should summon the authorities to aid us in this ordeal, but after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence it became clear that he was referring to my mental state!

“Sir?” I asked shocked that he would assume me anything but stable. In the many years I had worked for him I had been a stalwart and steady worker with no instances of trouble on my record, at least before these recent months. Perhaps this short period of disruption from my routine was enough to have changed his mind about me.

“I am not sure where to begin Charles. First you return to work after your extended break demanding that we all call you by your, as you put it ‘full and proper’ name. Gone was the good old Chuck that we used to know, you’ve become a prissy preening man who can’t seem to stand his former friends. Fine we could except that after what happened to you. Then you begin making outlandish accusations at your coworkers and making seemingly nonsensical demands. Again we were understanding. Now you come to us blaming your behavior on a man who never worked here, who we’ve never even heard of…”

“What do you mean you have never even heard of him?”

“This ‘Ed Todd’ has never worked for this company, there is no one here by that name, not in your department not in any of them.”

“Firstly it is Ed Todd and second that is impossible I have sat beside the man for almost two full months now!”

“Chuck…I mean Charles you asked to be moved to that corner of the office precisely for the reason that it was empty. So you could ‘concentrate on your work’ you told us. Now we have reports from many of your office mates that you did nothing more than sit back there and talk to yourself.”

“Ah I see!” I said beginning to understand what was happening here. They were trying to convince the world, myself included, that there was no problem here, that any protestations I made were simply the ravings of an insane man with a penchant for talking to himself. “I suppose you will also tell me that Susan Ecureuil never worked here as our receptionist either?”

“No Charles.” He said his voice suddenly weary and worn. “Of course Susan was our receptionist. But her name wasn’t Ecureuil, it was Weston. Susan Weston, but she hasn’t worked here for nearly a year. We know that you two were lovers and it has been in light of what happened to Susan, and to you yourself, that we have let this slide for so long.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked fear suddenly wrapping its icy fingers around my heart. “What do you mean? What was supposed to have happened to Susan and myself?”

They looked at each other uncomfortably for a moment. Then Mr. Sciurus turned his face to meet my eyes. I saw a deep sadness and a tiredness in those eyes that made my fear deepen ever more.

“Charles Susan is dead. She died about a year ago, you know that, you were with her. You had a breakdown afterward and we were unsure you would be back. When you appeared here a few months ago claiming to be better we should have known it was too soon. Now you don’t even seem to remember any of it. I’m sorry Charles but it’s the truth. Susan is dead.”

My world tumbled away from me in that moment. I saw nothing. I heard nothing. I was engulfed in an inky blackness from which there could be no relief. It was impossible. Susan could not be dead, certainly not for the period of which these men spoke. I had seen her, talked to her, touched her, and KISSED her less than a week before. No. I would not believe it, could not believe it. It took me a moment but suddenly I realized what had happened. It was a case of mistaken identity, the woman they were speaking of had to be an entirely different woman, I mean after all she even had a different last name. I looked up, my eyes clearing in that instant and spoke.

“You must be mistaken, it is a different person. This Weston woman must not be my Susan. Surely she is not my Susan.” The two men just looked at each other with that same discomfort written upon their faces. Just then the door opened behind me.

Four security guards entered the room, their faces stony and set with matching looks of determination. The four men flanked my chair, one of them on either side taking hold of my arms.

“We’re sorry Charles. We really are, but there is no point in discussing this further. Please call your doctor I’m sure he will be able to help you.” Then before I could say another word I was lifted from the chair and half walked half dragged from the office. As I was pulled from the room I saw the twin looks of sadness from the two men. I realized that no matter what else was happening these two men truly believed what they had said to me. As I was pulled from the room I paused, the men pausing with me. I turned myself partially back to the two men who had been my bosses, but had never truly been my superiors.

“You made me hate myself. I thought about it a lot, hating myself. Well right now, at this moment, I LIKE myself.” With that the men lead me from the room and out into the hall.

I was led past the executive offices and into the reception area where the four men surrounded me while we waited for the elevator to arrive. I saw many curious people who had once been my coworkers looking in on as we stood in the elevator lobby. Standing among them a look of superiority and victory on her face was Rita Esquilo. It was in that moment that I realized who my real enemy was. Not Mr. Sciurus nor Mr. Scoiattolo. It was Rita Esquilo. She had done it all, she had erased any sign of Todd from the company’s records. This would have been easy for her as the trusted company’s receptionist. She had changed Susan’s name in the same files, making it seemed like she had never existed. She had edited my file as well adding a disruption in my work as well as this nonsense about a breakdown. She had played me like a violin and now she was seeing the dividends of her hard work.

The elevator door opened and the men surrounding me began to walk me forward. It was all too much, I had had enough. I broke free of their grasp, my rage and the advantage of surprise giving me the power to escape them. I raced toward Esquilo screaming incoherently my fists raised above my head. Before I had taken more than a few steps in the direction of the devil woman though I was dragged down by the security agents. They pulled me on to the elevator holding me tight. As the doors closed I saw the smug smile spread across Esquilo’s face. A voice issued forth from my mouth which I scarcely recognized as my own.

“You’ll pay for this Esquilo.” With that the doors slid shut blocking the harpy from my view. I was escorted from the building and thrust from the arms of the security detail out on to the cold street. I turned back briefly and gave a final goodbye to the Sciurus Cuniculus building and walked off.

I was in such a state of disarray that I paid no attention to where I was going. I struck off in a random direction and soon found myself in familiar surroundings. I was standing in the middle of the parking lot where Susan had parked her car on the few occasions I had had to accompany her to her vehicle. By some strange turn of events I found myself here, in the almost empty parking lot again this day. That is how I found it.

Susan’s car sat by itself off to one side of the lot. There was at least a few days worth of snow covering it. This was how I knew it was abandoned.

I already dreaded what I would find but knew I had to check. If there was any chance that I could help my one true love I had to be brave now. I had to know if she were okay.

Stepping up to the car I pulled my hand within the sleeve of my coat and cleared the snow away from the window. This did not clarify matters enough as there was also a layer of ice blocking my view. In the end I was forced to take my house keys and run them repeatedly over an area of the window to clear away the built up ice.

When I did this I saw it. The face that I had grown to love so in the last few years. Susan stared out at me, her face a twisted into a rictus of pain. There were rivulets of frozen blood in streams down her neck that had soaked into the material of her jolly green Christmas sweater. She had obviously been dressed for the office party only someone had stopped her. I knew just who that someone was. Even if I had not known all the proof I needed was right in front of my eyes. Protruding from the gash in Susan’s neck was a nail file. Even through the ice and snow still on the window, even through the cloudy mist that my breath had left on the glass I could see it.

Rage tore through me. Rita Esquilo had taken everything from me. My job, my only friend, and now the woman I loved. I turned away from the macabre sight that assaulted me planning on marching back into Sciurus Cuniculus Publishing and ending this once and for all. I knew the power of my white hot fury would prevent any amount of security guards from stopping me. When I turned though I found that this planned course of action was complete unnecessary.

Standing a few feet away at the other end of the empty parking lot was Rita Esquilo. She looked at me with eyes as cold and dead as Susan’s her face a complete blank. Anger poured into me. I strode swiftly across the lot, the keys that I had used to clean the window of Susan’s car still gripped tightly in my hands. I could feel the tines of the keys poking between the fingers of my clenched fists like spikes.

“What’s wrong Charles? Are you upset about something.” Esquilo asked in a voice dripping with sarcasm. She thought herself untouchable but she had made one mistake. Here in the middle of this barren lot there were know trees. My research had taught me that squirrels stayed close to their homes in the winter, be those homes trees or office buildings. There were no trees here and she was far from the safety of the Sciurus Cuniculus building.

Her cold face showed a moment of fear before I smashed my spiked fist into her face. She had not been expecting me to act so boldly and had not even tried to defend herself. I slammed my fist into her face again and again.

She would pay. For my pain. For Susan’s pain. For the accident. She would pay for it all.

I lost myself for a time. I did not know for how long I knelt before her still form still crashing my fist down on her. I could not look at the product I had left behind. It was naught but a gory mess. I raised my hand and saw that it was covered in blood. The keys had cut into the skin of my palm mixing my blood with that of the Esquilo’s. With a cry of victory I put my bloody hands into my pockets and hurried away from the parking lot. Leaving Susan and the thing behind me.

-

I went home and threw open my front door. The place was a ruin. There were holes everywhere. I could see the rodents scurrying around my formally neat home, tearing holes in my furniture, eating through the walls. Plaster and stuffing and cloth and torn up books and chewed upon food lay through out the place. It was not mine anymore it belonged to them now. This was their revenge for what I had done to their queen. I knew I had to be quick lest they turn their vengeance upon me. I moved swiftly into the ruined home and grabbed my journal. Then left that place forever and came here.

Now I sit writing this last entry. There is but one thing left to do. Find the homeless man. He was the last of the humans that the squirrels served. I know that once he is gone I will be free of this torment. So I leave my journal here, tucked safely beneath this bench where it will hopefully remain unmolested until either I return to reclaim it or it is found by another who will read of my brave quest to rid the world of this menace. Now I descend into the tunnels which run below the city. I know that they will be teaming with the subterranean squirrels and possibly other horrors which I have not yet encountered. I will go in to the miles of tunnels which run below us right now and I will search until I find the leader of the squirrels. I will face him in battle. God have mercy on me.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

My journey begins now. Farewell readers.

Part 4: The Beginning

“We all go a little mad sometimes.”

- Norman Bates

“On the night of October 30th 2007 a single vehicle accident took the life of 29 year old Susan Weston. The only other occupant of the car, 31 year old Charles Saint Gertrude escaped with only minor injuries. According to authorities the accident was due to inclement weather and driver error.”

The following is a series of excerpts from the personal diary of Dr. Campbell Raimi PhD.

January 5th, 2009

I have returned to work after a 3 week vacation to hear some distressing news. One of my patients suffered a very public lapse at his workplace and has since disappeared. I have only begun looking into the events surrounding his disappearance but it appears that both the police and his employers had concerns about his behavior for some weeks before his disappearance. It is through an unfortunate lapse in communication that I was not informed of these danger signs sooner and an unfortunate end to a case that I had been hopeful about only two months ago.

January 6th, 2009

Looking into the strange case of Charles more closely I have been allowed by his parents to enter his apartment to look for some signs of what happened to him. I found the small set of rooms to be a disaster. It was obvious from these signs that Charles had been living in squalor for some weeks. Mail and books were thrown casually to the floor, food had been left to rot. Most distressing of all was the holes. Holes of varying sizes had been torn into the wall. Obviously made with either hammers, or possibly Charles’ own fists.

The only thing left untouched in this torrent of destruction were the journals. Several volumes starting from when Charles was a teenager and going up to the end of October 2008. Only one volume seems to be missing that being the most recent one. I can only assume it exists based on the reports of neighbors and Charles’ own parents who claimed he spoke of it often and was seen to walk around with it never letting it leave his side.

January 7th, 2009

A body has been found in an alley off a parking lot in an industrial area of town. Though it will take some time for DNA to confirm it witness who saw the victim, a Miss Rita Esme, before she disappeared claimed Charles had made public threats upon her safety. Further damming my patient is the fact that his glasses were found clutched in the dead woman’s hands.

Charles bosses and coworkers claim that he held some kind of grudge against her and that Charles had claimed Miss Esme had killed a friend of his named Todd. Looking into Charles’ life I can find no mention of this Todd and neither his neighbors nor his parents know anyone by that name in Charles’ building or indeed any other part of his life.

I’ve been reading the journals that Charles had left behind starting with and entry dated November 1, 2007. What follows is a transcript of the pertinent parts:

“Susan is dead. We were on our way home from visiting her parents. Susan was driving and the roads were slick with rain. I was in the passenger seat half dozing when I saw a squirrel run out into the road. Susan always had more love for creatures great and small than she had good sense. She swerved to avoid it and...

“A low hanging tree branch crashed through the windshield hitting her in the chest. I called for an ambulance on my cell while trying to staunch the flow of blood from her wounds. I held her as she died. Her last words were to ask if the squirrel was okay.”

January 8th, 2009

There are many more entries to read in the year after the accident. Charles talks about his lost love, how he’d been planning on asking her to be his bride. And then they suddenly stop around July 5th. After reading more closely into Charles’ past I have discovered why. July 5th was Susan’s birthday.

January 13th, 2009

Charles most recent journal was found in a train station near his house. It was found by a transit worker who was cleaning underneath a bench and found it secured to the bottom of the bench with packing tape.

The police were called and after making sure it was not an explosive device and making their own study of it they turned it over to me with Charles’ parents’ permission.

I was hoping it would help me make some sense of this whole mess but it has shed no light on it. All it has is one entry dated November 1, 2008 which I have copied here in it’s entirety:

“Ah a new journal, a fresh book, and a new start to the year, art least as far as  journal writing is concerned. Though I cannot in all honesty say that I feel fresh or new. I feel nothing but empty. My life is nothing but empty and I know the cause.”

After this there is nothing more except drawings, paintings, and photographs of squirrels.

Page after page.

Some clipped from magazines.

Others obviously drawn by his own hand.

His obsession filling the pages.

Until we are left with his final entry:

“God have mercy on me.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

My pain ends now. Farewell world.”

Prologue

The jogger paused to catch her breath which came out in puffs of white steam due to the chill in the late December air. She pulled a water bottle from the pocket of her windbreaker and took a sip of water from it. Her chest heaved with the exertion of the jog which she was only halfway through. She still needed to make it the rest of the way around the lake and back to her apartment on the edge of the park to complete her daily routine. She was about to continue her run when she heard the sounds coming from the tunnel at the edge of the path. It was not a place she wanted to venture near, she wasn’t even sure where the tunnel led. To an utility area she assumed. But the sounds were curious and not at all the normal groans and hisses which sometimes rose from the tunnel, caused she supposed by steam pipes. So she paused and listened pulling her thick brown hair away from her ears to hear better. She couldn’t be sure whether the sounds were laughter or screams but she did hear enough to know one thing. It was time to move on. Her bright chestnut eyes slipped across the entrance to the tunnel briefly, but she could see nothing in the gloom. Making a note to call the police about the noises when she arrived back home Stacey continued her run. It was probably one of the many unfortunate homeless men that roamed the city the attractive brunette thought as she hurried down the path in an attempt to keep her heart rate up. That was how he entered her story for a brief time before the young man was once again forgotten.

The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest.”

- Henry David Thoreau