Invasion (1975 Novel) - Plot

Plot

The story begins with a thirty-two-year-old Los Angeles police officer named Jack McGarvey. After what seemed like a normal day on patrol, Jack is caught in a shootout at a gas station. After being shot in the leg and twice in the torso, he killed the psychopath later determined to be Anson Oliver. Afterwards he spent months recovering in a hospital. Soon after recovering, he was given a letter stating that he was to be granted ownership of a ranch that was somehow inherited from Eduardo Fernandez, a lonely man in his 70s. After losing his wife and daughter, Eduardo lived on. For months strange things were happening. Trees were glowing and animals were acting stranger than normal. One night he sees a massive black circle and investigates. After many experiments he believes it is a portal opened by an alien. Not too soon after, after taunting the "Traveler" to come in his true form instead of possessing things around him, he is granted his wish. One night he hears a shambling on his porch. He knows it is the Traveler. With his shotgun handy, he charged out the door only to realize the thing on his porch was a zombified version of his wife. The Traveler was seen possessing the corpse. A day later, Eduardo's body was found and appeared untouched. After an autopsy it is revealed that he was believed to be killed by a heart attack. Months later, Jack moves into Eduardo's ranch with his wife, Heather, and his son, Toby. Almost as soon as they moved in they started experiencing strange things. Toby was often manipulated by the Traveler. It then announced itself as the Giver. After realizing that the Giver wanted nothing more than the death of all things, Jack knew they were in danger. After trying to call for help failed they tried to drive away, but the car would not start. They had to leave but In a snowstorm with freezing temperatures, Toby would not survive, and must stay. Heather stayed with Toby while Jack went to get help. Before long the Giver showed its face to Heather and Toby. After realizing guns were noneffective against it they resorted to flames. Before she could light a gas tank on fire she was intervened by the zombified corpse of Eduardo. she lit Eduardo on fire which only slowed him down. Toby had ran off to hide in his room when he finds Eduardo's wife ready to kill him. After retreating Heather saves Toby and they run for the exit. When they get there they find the door locked and jammed leaving them cornered. Heather was dragged off to what would be her certain death until Toby intervened with his connection to the Giver. He stalled it and provided a means for escape. They went on to burn down the rest of the ranch. Then Jack arrives with help. After burning down the ranch they went to the servant's quarters to finish the job. They soon realize that the servant's quarters is the home of the giver. Before they can burn it down they are interrupted by the zombified version of Jack's former partner. Not letting it get to his head, Jack burnt him to a crisp. With the help of everyone they set the servant's quarters on fire-destroying the Giver. Though the battle between the McGarvey's and the Giver was over, seeds of the alien were released and were to be dealt with by the government as the McGarvey's had suffered enough to last them a lifetime. The story ends with the McGarvey's traveling back to Los Angeles.