Chapter Thirty Two: The Podcast Episode: Alien Abductions and Comfort in the Chaos*
Eddy* "Welcome back to the best damn podcast on this side of the cul-de-sac, folks! You're listening to *Cul-De-Sac Chronicles* the only show that dives headfirst into the weird, the unexplained, and—let's be honest—the stuff your government doesn't want you to know. I'm your host, Eddy, here with my fellow truth-seekers, Ed and Double D."
Ed* "Aliens, Eddy! Aliens are EVERYWHERE!"
Eddy* "Yeah, Ed, we're getting there. But first, let me ask you listeners, what do you think? We've been getting calls about strange lights in the sky, mysterious disappearances, and—get this—actual people claiming to have been abducted by aliens. We're not just talking some farmer with too much moonshine, either."
Edd* "That's right, Eddy. It's important to note that many of these reports come from credible sources. People from all walks of life—doctors, pilots, even military personnel—have recounted disturbingly similar stories of lost time, odd surgical scars, and hazy memories of extraterrestrial encounters."
Eddy* "Let's jump right in. So, get this, a listener wrote in about a story out of New Mexico. A guy was driving down some backroad late at night—classic scenario—when, bam! He's hit with a bright light, and the next thing he knows, he wakes up in his truck two hours later. No memory of what happened, but there's a weird, triangle-shaped mark on his wrist."
Ed* "Ooooooh! The aliens gave him a tattoo!"
Eddy* "Yeah, Ed, a tattoo or an implant. Either way, freaky, right?"
Edd* "It's worth noting that there are many cases like this, particularly in high UFO sighting areas such as New Mexico, Arizona, and the Nevada desert. The phenomenon of missing time is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of alleged abductions. Skeptics attribute it to sleep paralysis or vivid dreams, but these cases often defy simple explanation."
Eddy* "And it gets better—this guy goes to the doctor the next day, right? They run tests on him, and his blood pressure's through the roof. No history of hypertension, nothing. And when he tries to tell the doc what happened, they dismiss him, say he was probably just sleepwalking or something. Convenient, huh?"
Ed* "ALIEN BLOOD PRESSURE!"
Eddy* "Exactly, Ed. The guy gets no answers. He says the whole thing was swept under the rug. And that, my dear listeners, is how it always goes. What are they hiding from us?"
Edd* "The question isn't just 'what,' but *why*. Why are these experiences so often dismissed as hallucinations or psychological episodes when so many people experience them? It suggests a deliberate cover-up, and that's where the conspiracy deepens."
Eddy* "Of course, Double D's hitting the nail on the head. We're onto something big here, folks. The truth is out there, and it's uglier than we think. We'll be right back with more stories of the unexplained."
There was a brief pause as Eddy reached over to adjust his mic, signaling the break. Ed wandered off to grab some snacks from a nearby bag of chips, but Edd's attention wasn't on the show anymore. He was watching Marie.
Marie sat quietly on the couch, her eyes unfocused, staring at nothing in particular. She hadn't said much since she arrived, her usual sharp wit and smirk replaced with a haunted look. It was like the weight of the last few weeks was finally catching up to her, and Edd could sense it.
"Marie?" he asked softly, walking over to her during the break. "How are you holding up?"
She blinked a few times before meeting his eyes. "I don't want to be alone tonight, Edd. I just... I needed to be around you guys. I thought listening to the show would help, you know?"
Her voice was small, vulnerable. Edd could feel the worry settling in his chest. Without thinking, he sat down beside her and gently pulled her into his lap. Marie didn't resist, just leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. The feeling of her warmth against him grounded them both.
"Stay as long as you want," Edd whispered, his hand lightly brushing her hair. "You're safe here."
Marie gave a small nod, closing her eyes, letting herself relax for the first time in what like ages. Edd soon stood, carrying her with him back to his chair at the mic. When he sat back down, Marie took a moment to adjust, turning fully into him, her legs straddling him, her arms wrapped around him so he could continue the show but still hold her. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his steady breathing.
Eddy* "Alright, we're back from break! And let me tell you, the calls are pouring in. The people have *questions*."
Ed* "The truth is out there, Eddy! Just like Bigfoot and pie!"
Eddy* "You're absolutely right, Ed—except for the pie part. Next story comes from another listener, says they were camping in the woods and—get this—woke up floating three feet off the ground, right next to their tent. They blacked out, and the next thing they knew, they were back on the ground. No sign of their camping buddy. They found the guy hours later, wandering a mile away with no memory of what happened. Tell me that's normal."
Edd* "The floating sensation is something that's been reported frequently in abduction cases. People describe being lifted into a craft or out of their homes, almost as if they're weightless. And the missing companion aspect adds an extra layer of strangeness. It suggests that whatever—or whoever—is behind these abductions, they aren't just taking one person. They're taking groups."
Eddy* "And let's be real, guys, the government knows more than they're letting on. All these abductions, all these sightings—it's all connected, and they're keeping us in the dark. Just like always."
Ed* "Like a surprise party! But with aliens!"
Eddy* "Exactly, Ed. Except no one's celebrating when you wake up with a chip in your neck."
The show continued, full of lively banter and strange stories, but Marie remained quiet, nestled against Edd. He kept his arm around her, holding her close, feeling her breathing steady as she seemed to find a bit of peace in the noise of their conversation.
When the show finally wrapped up, Eddy signed off with his usual flair.
Eddy* "That's it for tonight's episode, folks. Keep watching the skies, keep questioning everything, and remember—we're the last ones you can trust. Goodnight!"
As the mics powered down and the show came to an end, Marie stirred, sitting up slowly but staying close to Edd. He looked down at her, his eyes full of concern.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Marie gave a small smile, though her eyes still held traces of that haunted look. "Better. Thanks for letting me just... be here."
Edd kissed the top of her head softly. "Let's get you home now. You need to rest."
