Part 2

A small box on his doorstep. It must be the shoes he bought online. Strange, he thought, the postman usually leaves a note if he is not in. And to leave it outside in the pouring rain was unusual. It lay there at an angle, as if the deliverer had been in a hurry. He fondled for his keys, then picked up the box and stepped inside. Water cascaded into the hall from his drenched body as he set the box on the floor.

He showered and dried off, heading downstairs. He set the box on the table and opened it. It was in a plastic bag, yet the corners of the box were slightly damp. There were no markings on it and it felt too heavy to be a pair of shoes. Usually he would have noticed these things, but after today all he could think about was getting some food and going to bed. He despondently opened the lid. As he did so a clap of thunder struck, and he looked to the window. Had he been looking at the box he would have briefly seen a small bit of circuitry and what looked like playdoh, then a red light flicker. But he didn't.

There was a soft explosion, fire licking his body. He was blown off his feet and crashed into the wall, then lay there motionless. His arms were holding the remains of the box, and his legs were sprawled on the floor, however none of them were attached to his body.

Maybe someone would find out soon, but it was too late He was most certainly dead.