The Creature in the Meteorite

***Author's note:** This story is based on one of my comics. The creature in question is called a hyang (a play on the word "hyena" and not related to the mythological spirit with the same name) and comes from an unknown planet.*

The meteorite had crashed to earth the night before, embedding itself in the rain-softened ground. Now it sat in a containment unit in a local laboratory. The brown, pitted rock was larger than three average watermelons put together, and one of the two scientists in charge of investigating it noted that its overall shape greatly resembled the skull of an animal such as a wolf or a goat. As the scientists made their observations, a brown gas suddenly began leaking from the rock.

"Should we get the masks?" asked the younger scientist.

"No, the container is absolutely leak-proof," replied the older scientist.

They watched as the mysterious gas continued to issue from the meteorite. Finally it stopped flowing and formed a large plume. The plume held its shape for a second and then began to change. The scientists didn't think much of it at first, but then they realized that the plume was forming a solid shape. Before their horrified eyes the gas formed itself into an alien creature. Its overall shape was like the stereotypical Western depiction of a genie as its body tapered to a wisp of gas in place of legs. Its head was like a hyena's with black tufts of hair on the crown and a long, human-like strand of hair at the back. Its arms ended in hands with curved claws serving as fingers. Its inhuman eyes were fluorescent yellow. At first it looked at the scientists in confusion, but then its expression turned to anger. It roared at them, revealing a snout full of fangs. It formed one of its hands into a fist and began pounding on the container glass.

"Don't worry," the older scientist reassured the younger. "It won't be able to break through the glass."

However, the scientist underestimated the creature's strength. After a couple more blows it punched through the glass and exited the chamber, causing the younger scientist to cry out in fright. Instead of attacking, the creature flew past the duo and exited the room, leaving a trail of gas behind it. Within seconds it had left the building, its gaseous nature allowing it to slip through a closed door.

The younger scientist didn't feel well. What had just occurred was shocking in itself, but when the creature left he had inadvertently inhaled some of the gas that it consisted of. He felt woozy and rested his head in his hand. As seconds passed by, the strange feeling intensified. Suddenly he began laughing hysterically.

The older scientist realized that his associate had inhaled the gas and was now having an adverse reaction. "Wait here and I'll get an oxygen tank!" he instructed. Before he could move, however, the younger scientist grabbed him by the throat and squeezed tightly. He looked at the older scientist with an expression of sadistic glee, and to the older scientist's horror, his eyes had turned yellow and gleamed like the creature's.

Later, when he went to investigate the incident, S.C. observed the older scientist. He was barely conscious as a result of the beating he had taken, the bruises on his face and neck evidence of his battering. S.C. turned back to the younger scientist, still shaken from what had happened. "You were compelled to do this after inhaling the creature's gas?"

"Yes," the stunned scientist replied softly. "It was like...it somehow took over my mind. I lost control of my actions after inhaling that gas. That creature somehow willed me to attack him, and I had to obey."

S.C. grimly reflected on the situation. There was an unknown alien creature which was apparently made of some kind of mind-controlling gas. It could slip through cracks, fly, and take over minds to compel others to do its bidding, and now it was on the loose. He sighed. It looked like he had his work cut out for him.

## Narrations

*Written by Raidra

Content is available under CC BY-SA*