In Starlit Nights

It’s occurred to Carlos that Cecil probably isn’t human. When he comes to visit the lab, the Geiger counters go off howling all at once, even if they weren’t turned on. The seismometers simply stop; they cease their readouts with a tiny putt noise. In Cecil’s presence, the soil bacteria in the petri cultures that Carlos keeps on one of the shelves double their rate of mitosis. Every piece of delicate machinery he touches emits a shrieking noise and sends sparks shooting into the air. Stray cats yowl outside the windows, trying to get his attention.