The alien stuck silently across the ceiling, its gelatinous body casting an eerie green haze over the room. Its gaze focused on the small human child lying innocently in the bed, no more than eight years old. The boy's golden hair splayed across the pillow, his face flushed from the morning chill.
Droplets of the alien's viscous fluid rained down upon the boy's face, some landing directly on his slightly parted lips, the sensation of the cold liquid against his skin stirred him from his deep slumber. The child's eyes fluttered open in confusion, his gaze settling on the green blob looming above him. Confusion quickly turned to cold fear as he realized the nature of the creature hanging from his ceiling.
Just as the boy was about to let out a scream, a massive green globule splashed across his face, covering his nose and mouth. His terrified cries turned to gurgling bubbles as the slime forced its way down his throat, muffling his desperate pleas for help. The child thrashed wildly beneath the creature's weight, his small hands grasping at the air as he tried in vain to dislodge the entity from his face.
The alien parasite surged forward, its amorphous body invaded the boy's mouth and slid down his throat with ease. The child's muffled cries echoed within the creature as it filled every space within the small human's body. The boy's consciousness faded as the alien presence spread through his veins, suffusing his organs with its essence. His limbs twitched and spasmed violently as the parasite asserted its influence over his small body. With a final, agonizing convulsion, the last vestiges of the boy's mind were extinguished when the alien pooled itself in his cranium and dissolved his brain matter entirely. The organ was gone within moments, every cell dissolved and consumed by the alien's sophisticated amorphous structures.
As the alien parasite nestled deep within the recesses of the boy's brain, it began to transform. Its gelatinous form rippled and shifted, molding itself to the intricate structure of the human organ. Wrinkles and grooves appeared on its surface, perfectly mimicking the distinct patterns of the brain's sulci and gyri. The creature's bioluminescent glow dimmed, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the surrounding tissue. The parasite established neural connections with the remaining brainstem and spinal cord, effectively integrating itself into the boy's nervous system.
With this integration complete, the alien parasite had full control over the boy's motor functions and sensory input. The once-lifeless shell of the child began to move with a disturbingly fluid grace, a stark contrast to the jerky, uncoordinated movements of the initial takeover.
The alien wasn't done. It may have taken the boy's body, but the true change comes from within. The complete rendition of the boy's brain lets him assimilate his memories and knowledge. He gained a comprehensive understanding of human culture, language, and societal norms — at least for an eight-year-old.
The assimilation also told him about the festive occasion downstairs. Thanksgiving, they call it. Though the significance of the holiday remained elusive to the alien mind, one aspect captured its attention: his host loved the gravy and turkey cooked by his Aunt Muriel. And now? The alien loved it too. He could practically taste the savory meat from his mouth.
The alien also learned that his host was in this house only for a week. He always came with his family every year to sleep at cousin Ricky's house in the countryside. They had a feast yesterday and will be swimming in the nearby lake this morning.
The alien parasite stirred to life, its consciousness awakening within the confines of the human body. As it gazed upon its reflection in the mirror on the wall, the creature was struck by the sight of a four-limbed form, so foreign to its usual amorphous green mass. Walking was no struggle when he had complete assimilation of this boy's mind. He stared closer at his reflection and admired how adorable he looked. Adorability was a concept both foreign and familiar, and he took it completely.
"I'm adorable," The alien said with a high-pitched voice. "My name is Aaron, and I'm one adorable boy."
The creature hesitated for a moment, its recently acquired memories warning it that adding the word "human" to its sentences might sound odd. However, the parasite's quick thinking recalled that boys of Aaron's age often said peculiar things, so it decided to test the waters.
"I'm one adorable human, boy."