Kane Carson woke the day of oblivion with headache and hangover screaming bloody murder. Actions had consequences after all. It was a reminder of the poor decisions from the debaucherous night prior.
Synapses fired slowly, as if drunk themselves. The memories of the night came together to form a puzzle forced together like a child slams a square peg in a round hole.
A drink or two at home to pregame. The call from his old college friends letting him know they were ready to hit old stomping grounds. The yearly tradition started with the ghost pepper shot at Kelly’s bar. Some beer and pool at O’Riley’s Pub. Then the alcohol fairy of bad decisions visited their ears. Shots of celebration. More shots to relive younger days. Loud techno music echoing in his brain. Laughs from wild stories and drunken confessionals of admiration for each other. Then midnight came and went as memories blurred. Cigars, shots of whiskey, and stale sushi?
He choked back a gag at the memories after-taste.
“Dear God above... make it go away...”, Kane groaned as he grabbed the sole pillow on his bed to block out the light from the window. Yet his fumbling hands found nothing. Time stretched as his alcohol-addled mind fumbled around and connected the dots blindly. No pillow? The bed was harder and smaller than normal. The smell of meat cooking when he lived alone?
“What the hell?” he croaked. Mummified eyes peeled open to find his familiar bedroom and flimsy bed had transformed to a cozy living room of books and plants. He looked down. His lanky body was sprawled across a hideous brown couch.
“This isn’t weird at all.”
“Looks like someone decided to join the land of the living, hmm?”
“Am I dreaming or is that an angel I see come to my rescue?” Kane greeted as he rubbed the last vestige of sleep from his eyes.
“Oh please,” a voice sweeter than honey huffed out a laugh. “There’s no salvation here. Just a friendly neighbor helping a friend. One, I might add, I found curled on the porch of your home past midnight after I finished my shift at the hospital. You gave me a second workout just getting you into the house when I couldn’t find the key to your front door.”
Miranda talked and she swayed into the room humming a tune and holding cleaning supplies. She was far too peppy this early in the morning Kane decided. Or is it the afternoon?
“What time is it?”
“A little past noon hun. You slept right through church service. Not that you’re one to join even when you need salvation the most.”
Kane could feel the smirk on her face as Miranda swayed through her house. She hummed some random tune as she dusted and cleaned non-existent dirt, upbeat and lively. Most would have been annoyed by it, thinking it a fake attitude, but Kane knew she was truly in love with life. It was one of the many things he loved about her, and made him glad she was in his life. Even if it was just as a friend.
They had met after Kane started his PhD program and moved into a quaint two-bedroom cottage at the edge of the City of Fairview. He was looking for quiet and peace when not studying for his degree or lecturing for the undergraduates.
Then his angelic neighbor graced his home with flowers and fresh-baked chocolate and sugar cookies. The mega-watt smile she flashed that morning would be burned into his brain until the day he died.
That same radiant smile flashed joy across her dimpled and freckled face as she gave him a look up and down. He stared back unabashedly. A vibrant yellow sundress that drew in the morning glow hugged her athletic frame while blonde and ginger hair haloed her face as it reached down to her waist. He was sure even angels would feel plain before her.
“Well I’m just glad you’re in good spirits, but you need to be more careful.” Her tone shifted to professional mom mode. “Even if it is winter break at the college you need to know your limits. Who knows what would happen if someone else found you half-dead on your porch like an abandoned puppy.”
“Probably kidnap me, put me to sleep, and never let me leave their dungeon of plant monsters,” he teased, pointing to the dozens of flowers decorating the living room alone
“Ha. Ha. Say that again about my house and we’ll see what poison I put in your food.”
“You wouldn’t!” Kane feigned a heart attack before she swatted a pillow at him.
“No, I wouldn’t. But you won’t get any food until you get yourself cleaned up. You smell almost as bad as the emergency patients who came in last night. Spare clothes are already in there, so hop to it before lunch gets cold.”
With the promise of food he scurried to the bathroom. A hot shower cut short by his grumbling stomach had him cleaned up, dressed, and looking at the bathroom mirror to see what damage the night had sprung for the morning to see.
The face of his father greeted him.
Younger of course. Less weary, more friendly, and still stuck between looking like a teenager and a man. Blue eyes tainted bloodshot . Thin stubble, long hair, and boyish looks despite nearing thirty years old reflected in the borrowed men’s clothes he was stretching with his height and slight beer belly.
I guess the one benefit to having a baby’s face is not looking like my old man, Kane reflected. Memories of his father were as faded and lost as the man himself had been at the end of his life. His was a frayed life that cut from Kane’s own thread when he was twelve. But some memories were dug too deep. The yellow teeth from cigarettes. Smell of cheap vodka in his face. The rough hand of a quick temper’s judgment.
“Good morning to you too,” he mumbled as he stepped out of the bathroom. The smell of burgers was calling his name.
“Already made you a plate just as you like it.” His friendly neighborhood angel set a heaping burger and home-made fries in front of him as he sat at the kitchen island.
The moan that escaped between bites was definitely unholy. She playfully pointed at him, hand on her hip.
“Keep making those noises and the neighbors may wonder what I’m doing with a young man I dragged home last night.”
“Well if you keep cooking meals this good you’ll have to poison me to stop bothering you for scraps.”
Miranda blushed as she always did before fixing herself a plate and joining him. They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the morning sun, fresh mountain air, and peaceful Sunday.
Stolen story; please report.
“Faith isn’t joining us?” Kane asked after inhaling his food as he contemplated seconds.
“She already had some. Ate the burger quicker than you before she ran out back to continue playing with Duke.”
“That dog loves your daughter more than he puts up with me. It’s as if you can’t buy loyalty with food anymore.”
He received a raised eyebrow from Miranda at that. He glanced down at his plate that was loaded up with a second helping of food.
“Good point,” he agreed at her unspoken words. “What about everyone else? You usually invite a few good samaritans to join you after church. Do you have to pick up a shift at the hospital for another nurse?”
“Nope. No work, but I am on standby if the hospital needs it. And yes, I did invite those who came to service but it was a small group today and everyone is on edge with the earthquake so they either went back home or to the stores to stock up on supplies in case things get worse.”
“It’s California, not Ohio. How spooked can they be about an earthquake?”
She winced at his response and pointed to the TV. He hadn’t noticed it since it was muted but Miranda turned the sound on again as a reporter pointed at scenes playing in the background. An amateur video of the skyline buildings shaking played. Streams of people loading shopping carts full of food and water at grocery stores. Seismograph charts repeating on loop.
“...just as Dr. Stephen explained, this is an unprecedented phenomenon. Reports are coming in that these earthquakes are not just impacting California but the nation and world as a whole. We will continue updating you as details come in but it has been recommended to remain safe and take precautions as the earthquakes continue spiking in frequency and size.”
The image pans to ABC’s newsroom where the suit and tie speaks with confidence.
“Thank you Greg for that report. We now go to Cindy who is outside the White House for details on what is expected to be a mobilization of the national guard in preparation for emergency services should the situation continue to worsen. Cindy, what can you tell us.”
There is a new image, a young brunette in front of a camera as crowds of reports jostle each other. The area is a hive of activity but Kane isn’t paying attention.
“What the hell is going on?”
“If only I knew,” Miranda shook her head with a huff. She was already up, cleaning the plates and tables to keep her hands and mind busy instead of focusing on what she couldn’t control. Kane had seen it too often to know she was hiding her worry.
“I don’t remember anything about this yesterday or last night? When did it start? How bad is it?”
“There’s been shaking all morning and it started around five or so this morning. It comes in waves almost every hour and no one knows why. It wasn’t too bad at first but it keeps getting stronger.”
“Okay... I guess that’s weird,” Kane agreed.
“Very. So I’ve been keeping Faith outside since I don’t want an accident to happen when the next quake comes.”
“Gotcha. Want me to go check on them or rather fight you on clean-up duty?” Kane asked while reaching around Miranda to scrub one of the cooking pans. He received a hip-check from Miranda who gave him the look, you’re my guest so don’t you think of touching or cleaning anything. Kane put his hands up in surrender before he moved across the living room, wood floor creaking under foot. Stepping out of the back door he found a small piece of heaven.
Lush grass sprawled around the massive backyard boxed in by a white fence. Dozens of flower beds and a vegetable garden dominated the left side. The right held a pebble path to the firepit and ancient tree that had two swings tied to the branches.
There he found Faith. Miranda’s daughter was eight years old and already the mirror image of her mother. Joy given human form with gap teeth, blonde pigtails, and a blue dress that had more dirt then he would assume her mother would be pleased with.
She was on the swing, giggling and squealing as she pushed for more speed as if trying to escape her pursuer. A german shepherd was hot on her heels running back and forth like a lunatic as he barked and jumped around the girl in a game only they know how to play.
“What are you two crazies doing?” he called out from the porch.
“Uncle K!”
The welcoming shout from the girl brought a smile to his face as he watched Faith and his dog Duke run toward him. She launched herself in a flying tackle and Kane scooped her up and into the air as she giggled, rising and falling as if Kane was going to drop her. It only took a few tries before he felt winded and had to lower the girl for a hug. Duke’s panting breath on his face forced him to separate from the duo.
“How’s my favorite munchkin? Been taking good care of my boy?”
“Of course! Duke is the best,” she agreed by hugging the German shepard that was bigger than her. He licked her face to confirm. “We’ve been playing all morning! Mom even said I may get to have a sleep over with Duke so we can watch the new princess movie for the tenth time!”
Duke’s ears wilted back on cue of the word ‘princess’. He had been trained enough to know a tiara and dress was getting on his body somehow and someway.
“Did she?” Kane asked, knowing that meant he was going to have to watch Faith. He’d done it occasionally when Miranda had an emergency at the hospital to take care of. Kane knew that meant the earthquakes were a more serious issue than he thought.
“Let me check with your mom about that. How about you go back to the swing and show me how high you can reach? I’ll see about bringing out some snacks for you as well if you do well. Deal?”
“Yes! Treats!” Faith exclaimed with doe eyes. Duke gave him the same look, wagging his tail covered in ribbons, copying the girl. It was another unnecessary reminder that the duo were too sly their age, or species in Duke’s case.
Kane watched the two race back to the swing before he stepped back into the house. He found Miranda in the kitchen, hands combing and twirling with her hair as she did when nervous. Her eyes were focused on the news. The president was placing the national guard on high alert. All emergency service personnel were to be on stand-by.
“I guess that answers my question.” Kane broke the silence.
“It looks like I’m going to called in,” she let out a long breath before gathering herself. “I know it’s short notice but can you-”
“I’d love to spend the day with Faith. And don’t you worry since I already have it planned out. Princess movies on repeat, maybe get my nails and toes painted, and improve my hair braiding skill.”
The small smile he received was all he needed. Miranda gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek as she waltzed past him to her room. Her voice drifting through the house as Kane half-watched the news.
“There are a few meals in the fridge you can heat-up for snacks or dinner,” Miranda called out as Kane watched police enforcing discipline at a grocery store.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be out but I’ll text and update you throughout the day,” her voice was muffled as a primordial groan echoed in the air outside.
“Is that noise coming from the TV?” she asked just as the broadcast on the TV, people falling all over the place, before the broadcast cut off.
He couldn’t stop the worry creeping into his voice as he called out, “Miranda, we should get out-”
A shockwave of wind and sound cut him off. The house buckled. A shout came from the bedroom. The earth buckled. Drywall cracked and lights sparked. Power went out and the roar of blood in his ears drained all other sound. Adrenaline spiked. He needed to move. He needed to get to Miranda. He needed-
Existence shuttered.
Cosmic light unfurled in explosions of white, black, gold, magenta, and more that he had no names for. The fabric of life cracked and splintered before his eyes, like a pane of glass shattering, before it sewed itself together. The foundation of his feet rolled like a boat at the sea while the air crackled with electricity and smelt of oranges. He tried to move, to run and find shelter and find safety, but it was beyond him. He was weightless and trapped in his own body. Unable to move and only able to see and sense the fallout.
All in the silence of a world suffocating as time stretched. Moments passing by.
Then it came.
Aether Activation Detected...
Origin Protocol Activated...
System Integration Activated...
Assimilation of Realm 8 - C - 122 Commencing...
Messages, like texts from a phone, chimed their tune in his head as if he had headphones on while he could see the text within his mind as well.
It was the last thing he saw before his fear and confusion at what was happening gave way to oblivion.