They disembarked, into the glass-paneled visitor’s center. Outside the boarding area, a big sign overhead declared: “Welcome to the Top of Stone Mountain – elevation 1683 feet above sea level.”

Troy and Monica headed to the exits, emerged in the cold, crisp air at the summit. A long paved walkway led to a covered area with seating; beyond that, a path led to the uneven stone surface of the mountain summit.

They went to the sitting area, and waited, per Grace’s instructions. It was twenty after four.

Ten minutes later, Grace emerged from the main building of the visitor’s center. She wore a long faux fur coat and heels. She strolled along the walkway like a model, and Troy realized that though he had shot her earlier, the injury had been far from fatal.

Grace didn’t have the children with her, as she had promised she would. Monica gave Troy a knowing look. Troy took her hand in his, squeezed it.

“Let’s do this,” he whispered.

60

“Here we are, family.” Strutting toward them, Grace took a final draw from her cigarette, flicked it to the ground. “Yes, I realize you were expecting to receive the children. They were having such a fine time in another area of the park that I left them to their own devices.” She winked at Troy. “Play by my rules and I’ll tell you where they are, doctor.”

Troy said nothing. He glanced at Monica, but she was already stepping forward, trembling with emotion.

“We know what you did,” Monica said. “What kind of grand-mother, or nana as you like to call yourself, would abandon her grandchildren in a theme park?”

Grace blinked. For the very first time since this monster had invaded their lives, she looked flummoxed.

“What in the hell are you anyway?” Monica asked. “What am I, to have come from you?”

“You’re mine, that’s what you are, child,” Grace said, teeth flashing.

“We’re two steps ahead of you,” Troy said. “If I’ve learned nothing else about you, it’s that you can’t be trusted. We invited you into our home and you took advantage of us. You drugged my wife, my mother, my kids, me.”

At that, Grace grinned, and caressed her stomach. “I can feel your seed inside me, doctor, growing. Our memorable night together will pay rich dividends for me in the future, another child for me to harvest once she ripens.”

Troy was disgusted by the revelation that he had impregnated Grace, that he’d provided what she needed for her to continue her cycle. Although she looked exactly like Monica, she was a thoroughly alien thing, and he wanted nothing more than to be done with her for good.