About this book
Benjamin Ferris's "The Invaders" is a haunting science fiction horror tale that blends the eerie atmosphere of ghost stories with unsettling speculative elements. When Big Joe Merklos arrives in Wide Bend with cash in hand to purchase the abandoned Dark Valley—a once-prosperous farming community devastated by a mysterious drought—the townspeople see only opportunity. But something sinister lurks beneath the surface of this stranger's charming exterior and his inexplicable interest in the desolate land.
Set in a declining agricultural region, this gripping short story explores themes of environmental collapse, invasion, and the uncanny. As crops begin to grow backwards and reality bends in disturbing ways, the residents of Wide Bend discover that some acquisitions come at a terrible price. Ferris masterfully weaves science fiction concepts into a horror narrative that questions what it truly means to be invaded—not by armies, but by forces beyond human comprehension.
Originally published in Weird Tales, this atmospheric short story remains a compelling exploration of small-town suspicion meeting cosmic dread. Perfect for readers who crave intelligent science fiction laced with psychological horror and the unsettling mood of classic weird fiction, "The Invaders" offers a thought-provoking listen that lingers long after the final word.
