An Alien Attachment

Stacy hadn't been expecting a package, and while her parents had occasionally sent letters or photos from their trip away, this would have been the first time they'd actually sent a gift. Maybe her sisters had gotten packages as well? She'd have to ask.

She shook the cardboard tube gently, feeling a weight inside shift with a light thudding noise. Probably not a letter granting her extra credit for last semester. That was a shame - she really could have used the marks.

It might have been something for the two month anniversary with her boyfriend, but she'd always thought that people who celebrated that kind of thing were a bit stupid and made sure everyone knew that.

She put it down on the kitchen counter and had breakfast first, the light clatter of claws on tiles and a meaningful whine reminding her to feed Alistair as well. She'd had him for a few years now, and the German Shepherd learned not to pester her for food until mealtimes.

She completely forgot about the package, choosing instead of catch up with friends online and it wasn't until she'd had her late morning shower that she remembered, toweling her hair dry as she walked naked back into the kitchen.

Stacy removed the tape from one end and popped the top with a thub. She couldn't quite see what was inside and peered in, angling the tube towards the light.

What she saw was a glistening worm the length of her hand and well over an inch thick. As though sensing either the light or her presence, it shot out of the tube as Stacy screamed, trying to leap backwards and slipping on the tiles. She struck her head on the floor, stars bursting in her vision as something landed with a splat.