The Red Weed (Part 2)

Then on the ninth day, we saw the Martians eating

Inside the hood of their new machines they were draining the fresh, living, blood of men and women

And injecting it into their own veins

Argh!, It's a sign!

I've been given a sign!

They must be cast out!

And I have been chosen to do it!

I must confront them now!

No, Parson, no!

Those machines are just demons in another form

I shall destroy them with my prayers!

I shall burn them with my holy cross!

I shall-

The curious eye of a Martian appeared at the window slit and the menacing claw explored the room

I dragged the Parson down into the coal cellar

I heard the Martian fumbling at the latch

In the darkness I could see the claw touching things

Walls, coal, wood and then it touched my boot

I almost shouted

For a time it was still and then, with a click, it gripped something, The Parson!

With slow deliberate movements

His unconscious body was dragged away

And there was nothing I could do to prevent it!

I crept to the blocked window slit and peered through the creeper

The Martians and all their machinery had gone

Trembling, I dug my way out and chambered to the top of the mound

Not a Martian in sight!

The day seemed dazzling bright after my imprisonment

And the sky a glowing blue

Red weed covered every scrap of ground, but a gentle breeze kept it swaying

And oh, the sweetness of the air