experience the know how to overcome his resistance. They force him to absorb their moisture even more rapidly, which is exhilarating for them but traumatic for him. For the rest of the rainy season Brian passively and helplessly absorbs the 's moisture while his thoughts turn inward and violently self-destructive. Meanwhile, his sight and hearing slowly deteriorate and his body becomes permanently bloated. As the rainy season comes to an end Brian is relieved when the finally stop visiting him. His body becomes dry and dusty and begins to shrink, and he begins to experience blackouts which he dares to hope are a prelude to death and a final release from his suffering. Brian is not dying but merely entering a state of estivation, from which he will eventually awaken to the first of many more years of service to the . External links 1953 short stories Science fiction short stories Works originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction