DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Spacewarp, v. 5, issue 5, whole no. 27, June 1949

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Spacewarp, v. 5, issue 5, whole no. 27, June 1949

Page 18

now I was beginning to put some belief in their sayings.

That night when I retired, I again heard that slight noise down by the side of the house. I looked out the window and tried to see as far as I could down the sharp angle of the side of the house down to the ground. But I couldn't see anything since anyone or anything would've been out of my sight if they had kept close to the house right under my window.

All night I could only half sleep and the same vaguely-frightening dreams plagued what little sleep I did get. But when morning came, I was reluctant to get up and annoying for more than just the reason that I hadn't slept. I got up and went around in a daze.

While preparing breakfast, I burned my finger and it brought me out of it somewhat. I realized that whatever it was, it was getting out of control! I was actually worried now!

That day I was able to do very little on the novel nor could I prepare anything for magazine publication. I knew it was getting pretty bad, whatever it was, when it interfered with my writing.

Then the worst happened. I don't remember when it did, I only know when it ended. I had been idly pecking away at the typewriter when I last remembered anything. The next thing I knew, it was dark and I was hungry! I broke out in cold sweat when I realized where I was! Trembling, I got back to my study and looked at my watch. It told me that it was nearly evening and I realized that I had been...there...for at least seven hours!

Then I stopped my whirling brain and found that I was quite refreshed and rested as soon as I got over the frightening experience of finding that I had unconsciously gone...my mind shied away from the fact...and I had slept on my feet. I shook this new fact from my mind and again tried to take stock of things. I was abounding with vitality and I doubt if I had felt like that for weeks!

I went over to a mirror. Yes, I looked...what was wrong with my face? It was strangely misshapen! I explored and again broke into a cold sweat. It was impossible! But that mocking hint kept nipping the outer edges of my thoughts and I was seriously wondering if I had gone mad.

An imperative, thundering knocking at the door brought me out of it with a jolt. I hurried to the door wondering who it could be, totally unprepared for the shock that awaited me there.

I opened the door to face a tall, shabbily-dressed man. He smiled and I, for some reason, nearly fainted! He had an unnatural pallor, and his lips were full and red. A disgusting combination. His teeth were sparkling white as he smiled and spoke.

"Pardon me for the interruption -- for I know exactly how you must feel and the state in which your mind must be -- but I must talk with you." Somehow he was past me and into the room. I closed the door and turned to him.

"I don't quite understand." I started, but he smiled quite understandingly and sat down.

"Please be seated," he said and made himself very much at home. I sat down and asked him who he might be and his purpose in visiting me.

18

Saving...

now I was beginning to put some belief in their sayings. That night when I retired, I again heard that slight noise down by the side of the house. I looked out the window and tried to see as far as I could down the sharp angle of the side of the house down to the ground. But I couldn't see anything since anyone or anything would've been out of my sight if they had kept close to the house right under my window. All night I could only half sleep and the same vaguely-frightening dreams plagued what little sleep I did get. But when morning came, I was reluctant to get up and annoying for more than just the reason that I hadn't slept. I got up and went around in a daze. While preparing breakfast, I burned my finger and it brought me out of it somewhat. I realized that whatever it was, it was getting out of control! I was actually worried now! That day I was able to do very little on the novel nor could I prepare anything for magazine publication. I knew it was getting pretty bad, whatever it was, when it interfered with my writing. Then the worst happened. I don't remember when it did, I only know when it ended. I had been idly pecking away at the typewriter when I last remembered anything. The next thing I knew, it was dark and I was hungry! I broke out in cold sweat when I realized where I was! Trembling, I got back to my study and looked at my watch. It told me that it was nearly evening and I realized that I had been...there...for at least seven hours! Then I stopped my whirling brain and found that I was quite refreshed and rested as soon as I got over the frightening experience of finding that I had unconsciously gone...my mind shied away from the fact...and I had slept on my feet. I shook this new fact from my mind and again tried to take stock of things. I was abounding with vitality and I doubt if I had felt like that for weeks! I went over to a mirror. Yes, I looked...what was wrong with my face? It was strangely misshapen! I explored and again broke into a cold sweat. It was impossible! But that mocking hint kept nipping the outer edges of my thoughts and I was seriously wondering if I had gone mad. An imperative, thundering knocking at the door brought me out of it with a jolt. I hurried to the door wondering who it could be, totally unprepared for the shock that awaited me there. I opened the door to face a tall, shabbily-dressed man. He smiled and I, for some reason, nearly fainted! He had an unnatural pallor, and his lips were full and red. A disgusting combination. His teeth were sparkling white as he smiled and spoke. "Pardon me for the interruption -- for I know exactly how you must feel and the state in which your mind must be -- but I must talk with you." Somehow he was past me and into the room. I closed the door and turned to him. "I don't quite understand." I started, but he smiled quite understandingly and sat down. "Please be seated," he said and made himself very much at home. I sat down and asked him who he might be and his purpose in visiting me. 18