1 The Timer Appears

Somewhere in the U.S.

The trees begin to sway overhead led by a warm and gentle breeze. If one were to notice the birds chirping they would refer to the day's song as quite odd.

There seemed to be an exceptional and infectious joy in the air that even the beast of the earth could feel. Yet, in a boardroom deep underground the tension seems to stretch so thin.

At the front of the room a video was playing. In the video several countries from the Eurasian Alliance have been making some very suspicious movements as of late.

Their armies seem to be preparing for war and they have begun to gather their citizens into big cities that they have walled off. As the video concluded with its report a Young brown skin woman with sleek black hair and pithed brows began to make her way to the podium.

"As you all can see over the last few months there has been evidence of many countries beefing their defenses. Ever since the U.N. dissolved our communication with some of these countries have been less than stellar but we have gained access to a few channels of information that we deem to be trustworthy." She then scanned over the room to read their expressions. After doing so she reached into her bag and pulled out a silver folder with big red letters that read, *The End of the World*

Meanwhile…Phoenix, Arizona

Once again it has reached that time of year. The beginning of the sweltering heat waves. In a classroom sat many young minds focused on lord knows what while a teacher droned on and on about a topic that even they have forgotten about. Yet, at the back of the class sat a gentle young man named Thomas Darwin.

"Psst...Psst. Yo, Tom! Bruh, here." John Tom's best friend since middle school desperately tried to get his attention to pass him a note. The teacher noticed but couldn't be bothered at this point. Its too hot to get worked up and that would be a lot of effort so she continued on as if she saw nothing.

When Tom read the note it said: Meet at Alta Vista park for the deal. If you secure this one, you will finally be a part of the crew.

Of course it is what you think it is. Tom grew up with his grandma struggling to survive off her benefits. Especially ever since she became sick. So he took to the streets.

At first he was peddling what he could get his hands on. From candy to male tents. Yet, when the local thugs saw how easy it was for him to turn a decent profit they began to try to coerce him into joining them. At first Tom was hesitant, but the money was just too good, and the protection was even better.

All he had to do now is make it official and be welcomed into the fold. Yet, he had a feeling today might not be so simple.

*Fuuurm*

It was at that moment that the world heard the loudest sound imaginable. As if someone detonated a sonic nuke next to each person's head. Everyones ears began to bleed simultaneously. Then one kid saw it and began to yell at the others but quickly they realized nobody can hear anything at the moment. So he began to point wildly out of the window.

When everyone moved to take a look the first thing that caught everyones eyes was the erratic movement of the birds in the sky. Yet, if one were to look closer they would notice a strange set of numbers in the sky. At first glance it looked like a clock or a timer.

Soon after everyone received an alert notice on their phones. Certain tier citizens were being ordered to move to more secure cities while the government was trying to figure everything out.

Thinking on the note of higher tier citizens Tom began to look around the classroom. There was one student that was probably the highest tier resident of the entire city. Only he knew her true identity. When they made eye contact, it seemed as if she wanted to tell him something but could not. Instead she turned and walked away.

Assuming this was the end of the world as we knew it the school did not know what to do. Who has an end of the world protocol? Not American schools that's for sure. So everyone began to leave.

Tom rushed to his grandmother's house praying the whole way there that nothing happened to her. Her illness had gotten worse over the last few months and she has been in a semi conscious state simply lying in bed being taken care of by the medical staff he hired on.

For a 5'10'', 155 lb., 15 year old he always felt that he was mature for his age, but right now he could really use a parental figure. Maybe not even a parental figure just a person to run to.