The Red Weed (Part 2)

Then on the ninth day, we saw the Martians eating
Inside the hood of their new machines they were draining the fresh, living, blood of men and women
And injecting it into their own veins

Argh!, It's a sign!
I've been given a sign!
They must be cast out!
And I have been chosen to do it!
I must confront them now!
No, Parson, no!
Those machines are just demons in another form
I shall destroy them with my prayers!
I shall burn them with my holy cross!
I shall-

The curious eye of a Martian appeared at the window slit and the menacing claw explored the room
I dragged the Parson down into the coal cellar
I heard the Martian fumbling at the latch
In the darkness I could see the claw touching things
Walls, coal, wood and then it touched my boot
I almost shouted
For a time it was still and then, with a click, it gripped something, The Parson!
With slow deliberate movements
His unconscious body was dragged away
And there was nothing I could do to prevent it!

I crept to the blocked window slit and peered through the creeper
The Martians and all their machinery had gone
Trembling, I dug my way out and chambered to the top of the mound
Not a Martian in sight!
The day seemed dazzling bright after my imprisonment
And the sky a glowing blue
Red weed covered every scrap of ground, but a gentle breeze kept it swaying
And oh, the sweetness of the air