The Rattler Become a Patron An alien has appeared on Earth, systematically mowing down humans —approximately one every second. It starts by killing those who attack it. Then the ones who gave the order. Then the ones who came up with the idea of giving the order. This world has already lived through “Bloody Thursday,” when thirty-seven nations lost their presidents and prime ministers. In the new reality, everyone has resigned themselves to the alien — and to the endless, second-by-second deaths.

• Horror