Chapter 1: The Invasion

My home had been invaded by humanoid creatures dressed head to toe in black armor.

Destroyed my home from the inside, spraying laser blasts in every direction with guns.

Two of them.

From the shapes of their heads, I'd swear they were like lizards. But, it could be that their helmets just held such a shape.

They were so tall, moved so quickly. Animalistic in precision and timing.

I ran up to one of these creatures, defending my son who was crying under the kitchen table.

With one hit from the butt of a gun, I was sent to the floor.

Once I woke, I saw that my home was still standing, the front door was broken, and windows were destroyed, pieces of glass scattered across the floor.

"David?!" I called as I stood, feeling warm blood drip from the side of my head.

Packing a suitcase full of clothes, my heart raced.

My son. Taken by some extraterrestrial fucks. This seemed like a nightmare. Something some crazy conspiracy theorist would come up with, but it was my life.

I run outside, the peaceful suburbia I once knew was in ruins.

Once pristine homes now barely stood.

Dead children littered the pavement, with parents crying loudly. My throat became tight. A tear fell from my eye. I could've been one of those mothers.

Somehow, I believed David was still alive.

A nearby electrical pole was down, it had crushed my neighbor, split his body in half at his waist. Dark splatters of blood surrounded the carcass.

My car was still intact in the garage.

Pulling out of the driveway quickly, I stepped on the gas and drove, not caring if I was breaking the speed limit. Past the lawns that were now spattered with gore from those who the aliens deemed 'unworthy' of abduction.

I saw more and more of these tall creatures, carrying screaming men, women, and children. I couldn't offer help. I wish I could've. I'm sure I'll hear their screams before I go to bed every night.

The main highway presented me with much of the same destruction, but on a bigger scale. Trucks were flipped, cars piled up, dead bodies of construction workers and cops were a sight I was becoming used to.

I suppose whoever these extraterrestrials were, had little use for corpses.

Did they come from some laboratory? Was this some military test gone awry?

Turning on the radio, I hear a news anchor and turn the volume up. My arms were so tense, my veins were popping.

A muffled voice reported from the car speaker. Terror was his only emotion. "I can't believe what I am reporting, but black spherical ships seem to be descending onto the earth. Over every major city. Beams of light seem to be coming from their hulls, hordes of tall-kinda humanistic creatures. Kinda like tall lizards. We all must band together to stop these monsters from destroying us all!"

The radio cuts out.

I am left with no other sound but static.

Why are they here? What do they want with us? What could we possibly have that they don't? Seems our military is nothing but playthings for these terrifying monstrosities.

I drive for two hours, staying away from major cities.

I realize I left a shotgun at home. How stupid of me. Why didn't I rush upstairs to get it, to protect my son? My brain was probably flying with a million thoughts-thoughts of escape.

No sign of my son. Just emptiness. Wind and maybe the occasional twitter of a bird. If David is still alive, panicking and crying won't get him back.

I was lucky that whatever the aliens were, didn't take me. Even if I were with my son, I'd probably be separated from him. My every movement watched.

David, if you're out there, know that I love you. And I will find you. No matter what.

Dodging a fallen truck, Julie pulled off the highway and into the woods.

The tires of her car screeched as she drove through a broken guardrail, and then the car began to roll down a hill. A hill covered in thorns and tiny rocks.

Trying to hit the brake, the car wouldn't stop. The vehicle seemed to be going faster and faster.

I might die in a simple car crash. That would be embarrassing. Big alien invasion. I die in some ordinary way like that. I didn't die defending my life. I didn't take any of the bastards with me. Nope. That's not happening.

Sweating she unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door, and rolled out of the vehicle.

Her car hit a large tree, a headlight shattered on impact.

Popping the trunk, Julie grabbed her suitcase full of clothes, found a large water jug and a handgun tucked away. Upon removing her suitcase, she saw a bright red backpack. She decided to place some of her items in there instead of lugging the suitcase.

She had clothes, a water jug, and a silver revolver.

My father always told me to carry a gun. I always laughed him off. I'm not laughing much anymore.