They Came from the Trees: The Merge by Christopher Francis

The invaders need the mentally strong and the physically able—the rest of the human population is simply landfill. Who are these creatures and what are their intentions? Sheldon, a fifteen-year-old high school dropout, has no interest in finding out—at least not yet. Instead, he fights for his life as these ruthless aliens take over the little town of Hidden Trail. Sheldon takes refuge in an abandoned school with a beautiful girl named Cara and a couple of kids with profound ideas about the motives of the alien invasion. The group is soon picked up by some edgy teenagers who prepare to escape to the water. However, when Cara goes missing, Sheldon deviates from the plans and discovers more about the rapidly evolving aliens and their horrifying yet curious vision.

Category: Science Fiction – Alien Invasion

As a traitor to the human resistance, Sheldon attempts to abandon his simple farm life and newfound friends to fit in with this new alien movement. Proving to be more powerful than most of the infected, Sheldon is soon given important leadership roles–deciding if new human recruits are strong and healthy or simply executed. But Sheldon can’t help but be human. Moreover, he can’t help but yearn for connections. When the resistance grows stronger, Sheldon is forced to bring a team of alien intellects to fight–but as he wavers with his new developing mind, the movement goes sideways.

And the unthinkable happens.