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There is a noise, a creaking, whirring noise that creeps into the room like a gas and fills it slowly. It starts off small, sparce. A creak, then a wobble, a whir many moments later, moving in slowly as not to disturb the sleep of the rooms solely visible inhabitant.

But then the noises grow. Grow louder and more frequent until they are a constant. Until they are part of the room as if they have always been. One long groan, a continuous vibration that shakes the walls, then a sound like thunder as the roof of the room is ripped off in an entire chunk and is held up above the rest of the house.

By now Arthur is awake. Painfully awake, stuck in place inches above his bed as his house is torn to pieces. He tries to scream but finds that his throat too is stuck. So instead something speaks for him.

"You would be wise to let go." A voice fills the room in a guttural tongue, one barely coherent enough for the floating Arthur to hear. And for a moment the invisible force stops. The ceiling stills, Arthur halts his ascent, and the noises cease.

"Mmm-mm mmmm!" Arthur replies to the room.

"I may be all-knowing, but I have no damned idea what you just said, Arthur." The guttural voice filled the room once again. "Use your words."

Arthur was certain now. The voice was not the room, but beneath him, somewhere underneath his own bed. He turned his eyes as far as they would allow in his stuck state but could see only the shape of an arm gripping his back. No voice, no body, just his own crumbling bedroom full of light and a darkened shape holding him steady below.

The noises began once more, the creaking and groans returning as the ceiling once again flew upward.

"Advanced intelligence, yet still lacking common sense." The voice beneath the bed spoke again, this time to Arthur only. "Close your eyes Arthur, oh and open your mouth if you would. Wouldn't want this to blow your eardrums."

Arthur obeyed the voices command, if not out of trust then rather confusion for the whole affair.

"Now wave goodbye Arthur."

As he strained against the force to manage a wave the ship above exploded in an array of colorful light. The roof crumbled, shedding shingles like leaves until it fell back into place. With it Arthur fell too, guided down by the hand at his back and falling back into bed.

He could not think of words to say. Of what to ask, so instead he lay as still as his body would allow, hyper aware that another still remain in the room with him.

"Goodnight, Arthur." The voice filled Arthurs now aching head.

"I uhm...yes- goodnight." He stuttered out in reply.

---

Submitted by GrunkleStanwhich on Sat, Jun 03, 2023 to /r/WritingPrompts/

The prompt

You awake suspended above your bed. Unable to move, unable to cry out. The room is filled with a bright light, and you can make out faint silhouettes. An alien abduction? Tears in your eyes, you almost give up hope when I scaly hand pulls you to safety. The monster under your bed is not happy.