The Stranger

Sam wasn't sure if it was a wonderful sign or a sign of disaster, but Sam knew there was nothing ordinary about the stranger pointing at him from across the cobblestone courtyard. Draped in a dark cloak that fluttered in the breeze and made him look bigger than he actually was, the figure began to take large steps toward Sam, keeping his finger outstretched. Sam raised an eyebrow and took a hesitant step backward. He slowly turned his head, wondering if there was someone behind him who knew what was going on.

"Sam."

"Do I know you?" Sam asked, squinting at the stranger's face, which was obscured by the hood of the cloak.

The man shook his head. "Not yet. But my associates and I have been watching you for quite some time now. Come, take a walk with me."

"T-that sounds nice," Sam stammered, "but I have class in a few minutes and my friends will be waiting for me and I don't know you – no offense-"

"None taken." The man nodded to someone behind Sam. "But I do need you to come with me."

Before Sam could turn around, he felt a powerful arm wrap around his chest and hold him tightly in place. Another arm pressed an old, wet rag into his face. The smell burned his nose, but the feeling faded as his consciousness slipped away into quiet darkness.

Sam awoke with a start, unsure of how long he'd been unconscious. His head pounded with each beat of his heart. A constant low rumbling and the occasional rocking motion made him realize that he was in a moving vehicle. He forced open his eyes, blinking as the setting sun bored its way straight into his retinas with a dying orange glow.

"You're finally awake again."

The man from earlier sat across from Sam, still wearing the cloak that covered his face. Sam looked around at his surroundings and decided he was probably in the back of a motorhome. He tried to push himself upright on the small leather couch he was lying on, but his hands were tied behind his back with – he looked down at his feet – his own shoelaces. He frowned at the man.

"What do you want with me?"

The cloaked individual leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "You're going to think I'm crazy."

"I already do," Sam corrected him, wincing as the motorhome sailed over a large bump in the road.

"Oh. Well then, I'll get straight to the point." The man sighed. "We believe that aliens will invade the earth in just under a month or so, and we've been scouring the world for the person who will lead humanity's resistance army. We believe it's you."

Sam stared at him incredulously, wondering if the knockout drugs were still wearing off. Apparently this was his new reality now.