<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June huffed a low grunt of satisfaction as he sat in a rickety lawn chair, one of several, on Elias\u2019s cabin porch. His feet still ached from the hike he\u2019d completed this morning with his and Elias\u2019s family. It grated on his pride that his body gave in to the pain. But that was to be expected. Years of military service had taken their toll. Still, it was a price he\u2019d pay all over again for the peace he currently enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as he settled into his seat to enjoy his serenity, screams mixed with laughter echoed from inside the cabin. A smile crossed his face as the noise grew louder and approached. Suddenly, the storm door to his right swung open. It slammed against the wall as Sasha and Kia ran out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had both changed out of their hiking clothes and now wore cowgirl outfits, from the cowboy hats down to the brown leather boots. In their hands, they held small silver Colt revolver toy guns with orange tips at the ends of their barrels. In their rush of excitement, they didn’t see June as they ran past him. With quick steps, they hurried down the wooden steps of the porch onto the gravel path that led from the cabin to the dirt road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both girls spun around with their toy revolvers raised and aimed at the open doorway. A comical howl bellowed out from within the cabin before Elias leaped onto the porch. He wore a furry, over-the-head brown wolf mask along with a blue plaid shirt tucked into blue jeans and brown hiking boots. He held his head high and howled once more before turning to the girls. With his hands raised high, fingers curled into claws, he took a menacing step forward, snarling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStop right there, Mr. Werewolf,\u201d Sasha shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Kia said, stepping forward, voice trembling, \u201cwhere\u2019s my daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elias kept snarling and stalking toward them as a smile grew on June’s face, who watched amused. They were so caught up in their game that none of them saw him, not even the girls facing him. He took advantage of this, and as slow as a sloth, he rose from his chair. His movements finally caught someone’s attention when Sasha\u2019s hazel eyes, mirroring his own, fluttered over to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, Daddy, don\u2019t!\u201d Sasha shouted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even with the early warning, June still had plenty of time to run up behind Elias. He wrapped his arms around Elias, pulling him into a big bear hug. Although he was a full head taller than Elias, Elias’s broad, muscular build made it hard for June to hold him properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June\u2019s failed attempt to subdue Elias backfired as Elias spun around on him. He pivoted to evade as Elias lunged, but he wasn\u2019t quick enough\u2014Elias\u2019s hands grabbed his shoulders. June retaliated, and they both acted as if they were struggling for their daughters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, Pumpkin, while I\u2019ve got him,\u201d June said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A beat of silence passed before Sasha cried out. \u201cLet\u2019s get him, Kia!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kia nodded in agreement before they both raised their revolvers and both shouted, \u201cBang!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elias stiffened at the sound of them. He sputtered and gurgled as if someone had shot him, took a stumbling step back, then slumped to his knees. As he did, he grabbed the mask, pulled it off, and threw it aside. Sasha and Kia hurried up the steps, their faces full of worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDaddy, no,\u201d Kia yelled, dropping her toy revolver and hugging Elias tightly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha stepped up next to June, observing her friend\u2019s supposed grief. \u201cIs Uncle Elias going to be okay, Daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pumpkin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elias gasped for a ragged breath before speaking softly. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, baby girl. I\u2019m okay now. You\u2026 you stopped the wolf-man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kia let him go and looked at him with a worried expression. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Elias said, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. \u201cBut now the tickle monster is here.\u201d He wrapped Kia in an arm and tickled her with the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A scream of joy escaped Kia\u2019s lips as she struggled to free herself from Elias\u2019s grasp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnhand her, you monster!\u201d Sasha shouted as she pointed her toy revolver at Elias. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But before she could say anything else, June\u2019s voice halted her. \u201cAlways be aware of your surroundings, Pumpkin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha turned to look at June, an inquisitive look on her face. \u201cFor there are two tickle monsters!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before she could say or do anything, June grabbed her and started tickling her too. She yelped in surprise as she tried to get away. But unfortunately, it was of no use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before long, Sasha succumbed to her laughter, her legs giving way, and she collapsed onto the floorboards. \u201cNo! Daddy\u2026stop!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, Pumpkin,\u201d June said, releasing her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She lay there, breathing heavily. June sat on the porch steps beside her and looked at the twilight sky. The bright colors of pink and orange, blending with the blue sky that darkened into night, created a mesmerizing view. The hair on his arms stood up as a cool breeze from the north blew in, signaling the arrival of fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After catching her breath, Sasha sat up and scooted to the edge of the step, sitting beside him and gazing up at the sky. \u201cWow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He turned to her, and a smile spread across his face. Her jet-black hair blew in the wind, and her awe was evident on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so beautiful, Daddy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, it is Pumpkin,\u201d June said, wrapping his arms around her to pull her in for a hug, \u201cjust like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha flashed him a wide-toothed grin before they went back to watching the setting sun. Kia and Elias joined them, and the four of them sat there, watching the sun dip below the horizon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last remnants of sunlight cloaked the nearby woods in an eerie darkness. The porch light flickered on, illuminating everything around it, and a chorus of crickets sounded as night fell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha and Kia babbled on about various topics as June closed his eyes and enjoyed the peace that this moment brought. A weekend cabin trip with his loved ones was exactly what he needed after the stressful months he\u2019d had at work. He and Elias were co-founders of a company called Iron Sentinel Systems and Defense, and they had just signed a joint venture agreement with Raytheon Technologies for their groundbreaking weapons system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha\u2019s voice rang out excitedly as she pointed to the sky, snapping him out of his reverie. \u201cDaddy, look!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June\u2019s gaze shifted and followed Sasha\u2019s little finger up to the sky, curious about what had her so excited. The twilight sky had darkened to night, its glittering stars filling the sky. For a moment, everything was still, nothing unusual. Then it appeared. A meteor shot across the sky as happy yips burst from Sasha and Kia. They jumped to their feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere, Daddy. Did you see that?\u201d both Sasha and Kia exclaimed as they bounced in place, unable to contain their excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoa there, little lady,\u201d Elias said, reaching out and catching Kia with a hand, \u201ccareful or you could fall and hurt yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June followed suit and pulled Sasha closer to him, giving her a stern look. \u201cUncle Elias is right. You wouldn\u2019t want to fall and hurt yourself, now would you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, Daddy,\u201d Sasha said with a crestfallen face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June\u2019s scowl then shifted to a smile. \u201cNow, what do you do when you see a shooting star?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha\u2019s face lit up. \u201cYou make a wish!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June nodded his head and turned her around to face the sky again as another meteor streaked across it. \u201cGo on. Make a wish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha lowered her head and closed her eyes before clasping her hands together. Out of June’s peripheral vision, he could see Kia mimicking Sasha\u2019s gesture as she made a wish as well. The two girls stayed like that for a few seconds longer before bursting into glee at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat did you wish for?\u201d June asked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan\u2019t tell you or it won\u2019t come true,\u201d Sasha said with a cheeky grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June returned her grin before glancing back at the sky. The number of shooting stars had grown, turning into a full-fledged meteor shower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, Sasha,\u201d June said, forgetting to use his nickname for her, lost in disbelief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sasha spun around and followed June\u2019s gaze. Her sharp gasp snapped his eyes away from the sky. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened\u2014almost to the point of bulging out of their sockets. It was a look that was priceless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, something changed as her brows furrowed, and her lips tightened into a frown. A pit opened up inside June, and his stomach sank. Something was wrong. He could feel it in the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time slowed as it always did before a firefight, and his senses sharpened. June\u2019s gaze drifted upward as the sky grew brighter with each passing second. His heart hammered like war drums announcing an approaching army, while \u200cdread clenched at his neck. The shower of meteors had intensified into a downpour, with hundreds\u2014no, thousands\u2014racing across the sky. It showed no signs of slowing. In seconds, the meteors erupted into a raging inferno that lit up the sky like a detonating nuke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June closed his eyes, bent down, pulled Sasha to his chest, and turned to shield her from the blast. But it never came. One second, two seconds, then three passed, but nothing happened. June opened his eyes slightly and saw that the blinding light was still there. He turned to Elias and found him in the same position, covering Kia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the loudest clap of thunder echoed, shaking the porch they stood on. Knocked off balance, June fell forward, but, being prepared, he extended an arm to catch himself while the other held Sasha. It sounded like the sky had just split open. Loud clattering noises came from inside the cabin, and the porch light’s bulb exploded, but June had more pressing concerns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As suddenly as it had appeared, the light disappeared, plunging them into the darkness of the night. Everything grew still and silent, except for the muffled cries of Sasha and Kia. June pushed himself upright before trying to free himself from Sasha, but she refused to let go. Her tiny body trembled in fear as she continued to cry into his chest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Pumpkin. Daddy\u2019s got you,\u201d June said, hugging her before turning to look at the sky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It had returned to normal, as if nothing had happened, but that was far from the truth, and he knew it. Something stirred deep inside him. Something was seriously wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With his right hand, June drew his MR-35 Ion Bolt, his own creation that led to their partnership with Raytheon, from his hip holster. Next to him, Elias drew his own MR-35. A look of recognition passed between them before they grabbed their daughters, cradling them in one arm while the other held their guns at the ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDaddy\u2019s going to need you to be quiet now, okay, Pumpkin?\u201d June said to Sasha, his gaze continuously panning the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cO\u2026okay,\u201d Sasha said in between hiccups and sobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elias delivered the same speech to Kia, and soon, both girls quieted into small whimpers and sobs. A nod from June prompted Elias to act. He stepped back from the edge of the porch and headed toward the cabin\u2019s doorway, keeping his sights and gun aimed to cover their right flank. June held his position, covering their left and scanning for any signs of threats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, June could barely see. Granted, the full moon’s light illuminated the night. But even then, he couldn\u2019t see clearly past five yards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fear gripped his heart. He wasn\u2019t afraid for himself, but for his family. He had to get Sasha inside and check on Natalie and Zach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElias!\u201d Christine yelled from inside the cabin as he entered the building. \u201cKia! What happ\u2013\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Natalie\u2019s frantic voice interrupted her. \u201cWhere\u2019s June and\u2013\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before she could finish her question, Elias’s harsh shush silenced her. A small commotion rustled behind June, and he could only guess that Elias had handed Kia over to Christine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second later, Elias called out in a low whisper, \u201cJune.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his cue to move. With steady steps, he backed up until Elias\u2019 hand patted his shoulder. He stopped, and Elias moved onto the porch, covering him and Sasha as he made his way into the cabin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside, the cabin was dark except for the faint moonlight streaming through the windows. June lowered his gun and turned around. He caught a glimpse of blonde hair before a figure rushed toward him. Before he could react, they embraced him and Sasha, and he relaxed, realizing who it was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank God you two are okay,\u201d Natalie said, her voice trembling with fear, before kissing Sasha\u2019s forehead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June holstered his gun before pulling Natalie into a tight embrace, relishing the moment with his wife and daughter. The feeling that they were safe washed over him with some relief, but not completely. Now, he just needed to find Zach. He guided them to the side as Elias stepped in, closing and locking the door behind him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere,\u201d June said, passing Sasha to Natalie, who took her without hesitation. \u201cI\u2019m going to go get Zach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Darkness covered her face, but June could see the silhouette of her head nodding in agreement. He leaned down and quickly kissed her on the cheek before heading to the stairs on the far right of the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As he did, Christine\u2019s anxious voice piped up as he passed by her. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, June? What was that bright flash?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June wanted to stop and explain what little he understood, but a larger part of him needed to get Zach. \u201cSorry, Christine. Ask Elias. I\u2019ve gotta get Zach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An understanding smile crossed her face as she nodded before turning to Elias, who walked up beside her. Their hushed conversation followed him as he went toward the stairs. But June hadn\u2019t needed to. Zach came rushing down the stairs, calling for June and Natalie. Before Zach could run into him, June reached out and caught him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoa there, tiger,\u201d June said, steadying his sixteen-year-old son. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zach\u2019s scrawny frame looked like a gentle breeze could knock him over, but he possessed the grit and strength to surpass any opponent he faced. He resembled his father more than he realized, especially in the looks department. His Asian features were visible but less pronounced than June\u2019s. After all, Zach was only a quarter Korean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDad!\u201d Zach said before hugging him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June hugged his son, relieved that he was safe. With his family secure, he could now focus on the main problem. He gently pulled away from the hug and guided Zach to the living room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWas that a nuke, Dad?\u201d Zach asked as they got closer to the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June sighed. How was he supposed to explain to them what had happened? Even he didn\u2019t know what truly occurred. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, his bachelor\u2019s degree in Physics was really paying dividends now, huh?<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n He could explain quantum mechanics to the layman, but that doesn\u2019t help him understand what he saw. He had theories, but none of them followed the laws of physics. At least, the laws he knew of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He ran a hand through his hair as he turned to Zach. \u201cGo join your mother and sister on the couch, and I\u2019ll do my best to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zach nodded and stepped away as June motioned for Elias to come over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDid you explain everything to Christine?\u201d June asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elias snorted in derision. \u201cTo the best of my ability. What the fuck was that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June huffed as well. \u201cI\u2019ve got a few ideas. None of them good. Grab our rifles and gear. I have a feeling we\u2019re gonna need them before the night is over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elias ran his hands through his wavy black hair, scratching the back of his head. It was a nervous tic of his. He took a deep breath through his nose and then exhaled through his mouth, a calming technique his therapist taught him to control his anger better. But there was a reason he was still in therapy as his anger boiled over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFuck!\u201d Elias said as he violently swung his hands down to his side. \u201cSomething just had to go wrong on our vacation, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRhykker!\u201d June barked in anger, sliding right back into military mode with ease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Elias turned to him, rage blazing in his eyes. \u201cWHAT!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June said nothing, only gesturing to their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The anger evaporated from Elias\u2019 face the moment his gaze locked onto Kia and Sasha\u2019s frightened faces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShit\u2026I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Elias said to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n June gestured with his head toward the stairs. \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Elias said in a whisper, defeat in his voice, before he left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another heavy sigh escaped June\u2019s lips before he turned to his audience. \u201cSorry about that, everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs Uncle Elias okay?\u201d Zach asked, his gaze following Elias up the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe will be,\u201d June said before reaching into his pocket to retrieve his phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He tried turning it on, but nothing happened. He pushed the power button a few more times before holding it down, but the phone stayed dead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June frowned as he looked at Natalie. \u201cBabe, can I see your phone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure,\u201d she said, pulling it out of her back pocket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June\u2019s frown deepened as he repeated the process with her phone, but again, nothing happened. That was strange. Did the blazing sky release an EMP? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone\u2019s heads turned to watch him as he moved toward the light switch. He flipped it, but no lights came on. Then, he went to the fridge and opened it. Dead. Shit. No electronics for the foreseeable future. That\u2019s going to be a problem.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n June couldn\u2019t help but shake his head as he went into the pantry and pulled out two vintage oil lamps and a lighter. He returned to the group with his items and set them on the coffee table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As he knelt to light an oil lamp, Sasha\u2019s voice piped up. \u201cWhy are you using those, Daddy? What\u2019s wrong with the lights?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lighter in June\u2019s hand clicked, and a small flame flickered to life. With it, he lit the wick inside the oil lamp. A warm orange glow bathed the room as he adjusted the light before turning to give Sasha a warm smile. \u201cAll the lights are dead.\u201d He paused as she, and now Kia, gave him quizzical looks. \u201cIt\u2019s like a blackout.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh,\u201d Sasha said, scrunching up her button nose. \u201cWhat about your phone? And Mommy\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt’s also dead, Pumpkin,\u201d June said while lighting up the second lamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Kia asked, joining in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After lighting the second lamp, June put the lighter in his pocket. He paused to gather himself before speaking. \u201cIt\u2019s because of something known as an Electromagnetic Pulse or EMP for short.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Sasha asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The others leaned in, their curiosity piqued as June explained. \u201cWell, it\u2019s a pulse of energy. Electromagnetic energy. Which would be like electricity or lightning, except you can\u2019t see it. Now, when that energy is released, anything that uses electricity, like the lightbulbs or our phones, would be disrupted and stop working.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUh-huh,\u201d Sasha said, nodding her head slowly in understanding. However, the glossy look in her eyes told a different story. The concept was a little too much for an eight-year-old to comprehend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June cleared his throat before addressing the whole group. \u201cNow. Christine, you\u2019re all up to speed, I presume?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christine was still processing everything June had said before his question snapped her back to the present. A scowl crept across her face as if he\u2019d just slapped her. He flinched inwardly when her glare settled on him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf by up to speed, you mean the sky turning into the literal definition of hell, then, yeah, I am. Got any theories as to what that was?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Her southern accent slipped through\u2014one she picked up from her grandma in New Orleans\u2014which usually only happened when she was feeling particularly emotional. Her caramel skin glistened in the firelight as her long, wavy hair bobbed with her head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow hold on just a minute,\u201d Natalie interjected. \u201cWhat is this about the sky?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June recounted what happened. By the end, Natalie\u2019s face was as pale as a ghost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you know what caused it?\u201d Natalie asked in a shaky voice, clutching Sasha closer to her. \u201cWhat did I miss?\u201d Elias asked as he placed the items on the kitchen table before joining them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re just in time for my theory,\u201d June said. Elias gestured with his hands, giving him the floor as he sat on an armrest next to Christine and Kia. \u201cThe initial meteor shower seemed natural enough, but the amount that appeared and the rate at which it did suggested otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Zach asked, speaking up for the first time since hearing about everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt means that\u2013\u201d June started saying, but Elias cut him off, his voice full of venom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt means that someone caused it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOr something,\u201d June added, drawing a curious look from Elias, before he continued. \u201cI don\u2019t think anyone on Earth has the capability to do what we just witnessed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhoa! Hold on,\u201d Elias said, standing up with his palm extended toward June. Skepticism and false levity filled his tone. \u201cAre you talking about aliens?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June could only shrug. \u201cIt\u2019s the only logical explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, come on, man!\u201d Elias said as he paced. \u201cYou can\u2019t possibly think that it\u2019s aliens<\/em>. I mean, you\u2019re a man of science. Can\u2019t any of that explain what we saw?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe, if it comes down to fringe sciences and theories, but most, if not all, don\u2019t follow the fundamental laws of physics we know. And those are the keywords. That we know.<\/em> That leads us back to beings who would <\/em>know more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo aliens?\u201d Elias said with a defeated shrug.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOr God. I don\u2019t know, Elias,\u201d June said, a little annoyed with Elias\u2019s combative and closed-minded attitude. \u201cAll I know is that something bad is coming, and we have to be ready for it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Elias\u2019s face fell as he understood June\u2019s position. \u201cRight. Sorry\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, before Elias could say anything else, a loud, piercing ding sounded. June covered his ears, but the ringing persisted inside his head. Everyone else around him, except Sasha and Kia, also had their hands over their ears. Then a robotic yet feminine voice spoke\u2014not aloud, but inside his mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Integration of Planet 655,369,732,239 is complete. The System of Cultivation welcomes<\/em> you, humans of Earth<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His head was nearly splitting after the voice spoke, as a tingling sensation traveled from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. It was an experience he hoped never to endure again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, out of nowhere, pain struck him, knocking him to his knees as what felt like thousands of tiny needles stabbed into every one of his pain receptors. His skin crawled and burned at the same time as his bones snapped and reattached, and this all happened at the same time. Unable to withstand the agony, he fell face-first onto the hardwood floor as his body seized up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha and Kia\u2019s panicked screams were the only thing that kept him conscious as terror gripped his heart. All he could do was endure. He had to stay conscious for his family. For Sasha. Luckily for him, he didn\u2019t have to wait long. A few seconds later, the pain disappeared as if it had never been there. June took a step toward the girls but fell to his knees once again as the cabin shook. Sasha and Kia\u2019s screams grew louder before a loud whirring sound drowned them out. From above, a white light seeped down into the room, enveloping everything in its path. June tried to move, but his body wouldn\u2019t listen. An invisible pressure weighed him down. He pushed with all his might, but he could only tilt his head slightly. Before his very eyes, the light swallowed his family. He roared in defiant anger before it too enveloped him, bathing him in nothing but darkness.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" June huffed a low grunt of satisfaction as he sat in a rickety lawn chair, one of several, on Elias\u2019s cabin porch. His feet still ached from the hike he\u2019d completed this morning with his and Elias\u2019s family. It grated on his pride that his body gave in to the pain. But that was to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-sfw","pmpro-has-access"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/author\/authorderekyanggmail-com\/","display_name":"authorderekyang@gmail.com"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 6 mois il y a","modified":"Mis \u00e0 jour 6 mois il y a"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le novembre 27, 2025","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le novembre 28, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le novembre 27, 2025 4:09 am","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le novembre 28, 2025 10:28 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":null,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-08 17:54:23","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65\/revisions\/66"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\u201cIt\u2019s only conjecture, but\u2026\u201d June paused as Elias came back down the stairs carrying a long, black, rectangular gun case in each hand, plus a green gear bag slung across his back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pushed himself up, on shaky hands, shaking his head to clear the fog that clouded his mind. Sasha and Kia both bawled their eyes out, trying to wake their mothers. Natalie, Christine, and Zach were unconscious on the couches, while Elias lay unmoving where he once stood a few feet away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n