The cold winter winds blew through the streets of Kansas City as evening set in. Weather forecasts predicted thick snowfall roughly after 6:45 pm. People started taking measures to keep the snow outside of their tents. Empty drums were filled with trash to be used as fuel for bonfires as groups of adults, children, and elders huddled around them for warmth. A small snippet of newspaper, dated August 8th, 2023, starts burning as soon as the fire is lit. The headline on the burning paper roughly read:
Unidentified Monsters Invade Earth: UN Calls Emergency Meeting Of All Nations. World Leaders Decide Measures To Safeguard Humanity.
Some 800 feet below the surface, thousands of lights were cast by what appeared to be a partially completed cityscape in a cavern, which stretched the same depth from the roof to the bottom. Eight massive pillars extended from the ground towards the ceiling of the void. Several incomplete high-rise buildings dotted this underground landscape. In one corner of the cavern, about fifty small houses illuminated a small space, leaving a big dark area with dim blue lights scattered over the stretch between the houses and the cityscape, like a clear night with countable stars. These houses seemed to be prefabricated dwellings, each approximately 80 square feet in area, with a small space for a garden separating each house, and they were arranged to form a rectangular pattern. Two children emerged from the 7th house in the 3rd row of this housing area. One of them, a boy, whose hair was caramel-colored, had looks typical of an 11-year-old kid. He was dressed in his favorite brown T-shirt with orange stripes, blue pants, and a grey pullover, his hair neatly combed, and his face sporting an energetic look. Besides him, stood a 10-year-old girl, with slightly reddish-brown hair tied into two ponytails. She gave the boy a slightly irritated look.
“Jack, it’s already nine degrees out and you want us to wear just a pullover? We’ll still freeze!!” said the girl.
“It’s 5:45 already. we don’t have time to change clothes and we’re gonna have to make a run for it!! Besides you won’t feel the cold if you run.” Said Jack.
“Speak for yourself, you’re wearing a pant. Please just let me wear a pair of pants under my skirt.” Said the girl.
“Ok fine. But hurry it up.” Said Jack.
The girl entered the house at a sprint and came back 2 minutes later, wearing dark grey pants under her one-piece pink skirt.
“Come on, we gotta hustle.” Said Jack.
He grabbed the girl’s hand, dragged her, and broke into a run. They moved out from the backdoor to the street behind their own and ran towards one of the supporting pillars behind the housing area, near the southernmost corner of the cavern. It took them a good five minutes to reach the structure. Exasperated, they entered the structure and proceeded toward a door in front of him. The Children swerved through hundreds of carpenters, electricians, and plumbers moving about the hallways to reach the door. The automated doors opened and closed as children entered a circular room along with a couple of workers. A woman’s voice came out through a speaker as one worker pressed a button on the lift.
“Level one. Now moving up”
With a minuscule jerk, the lift started moving up. As it moved up, the unfinished city was visible after about a few minutes, its many lights gleaming through the window, as though it were nighttime. The housing area looked more remote. It was as if it were built for a different community on the outskirts of the city. The scene disappeared behind a metallic tube at the very top of the cavern as the lift continued to move upwards. It was another five minutes before the lift came to a halt and the voice in the speaker spoke again.
“Level 100. Have a safe day”
The doors opened into a dimly lit basement, illuminated by the lights of the lift, as the passengers poured out of the lift.
“Come one, let’s go….Excuse me. Side, please? Thank you.” Said Jack.
Jack and the girl made their way up through a short corridor leading to the stairs. A door at the top of the stairs led into a worn-out building. A golden light blinded them as they exited the building.
They were standing in a narrow street facing a scene of decay. All the buildings in their sight seem to have been ravaged by time. Cracks and holes seemed to cover every structure and debris littered the ground. The road was also in a similar, if not, much worse condition. There was not a single patch of tarmac that was free of cracks, with some pieces seemingly easy enough to pull out of the road. A high wall was visible behind the worn-out buildings. Several upward extrusions on these walls indicated Guard posts. On their left, a deteriorated overbridge stood above dozens of tents. Some adults were now huddled near drums of fire for warmth, while children were running and playing around. Women were either sitting and observing the children or chatting in groups around the fire. However, the area looked deserted at most, as if everybody had gone somewhere. Jack looked at his watch, which displayed 6:02 pm, Friday. Below it, the numbers 20, 06, and 2026, were separated by slashes to give the current date. Jack again grabbed hold of the girl and started running towards the overbridge. He took a left and ran by the camped tents, moved out onto the main road, and crossed it.
“You’re dragging me too hard Jack!! We still got time. It’s not like we’re that late. Slow down a little” yelled the girl as she almost tripped over a rock
“Yeah, but I wanna spend some time with them, Amy. It’s not like they will be back tomorrow morning. They’ll be out for months together.” Replied Jack.
“But we can still see them using video calls. It’s not like we won’t be seeing them at all…” said the girl before Jack interrupted her.
“Even so….”
Cheers echoed down the street as they saw a crowd standing almost a quarter of the way toward a road intersection.
“Great! Looks like they’re still here. Come on.” Said Jack as they reached the back of the crowd
Jack and Amy worked their way to the front and saw a squadron of troops standing on the main Road. They were wearing black spandex suits with big goggles and a white belt. Behind them, stood three giant robots, with a Gatling gun attached to one arm, and what appeared to be a large sniper, on the other arm. A man standing in front of the squadron was giving out instructions, which was drowned out by the cheering of the crowd.
A gentleman in his fifties, standing behind Jack and Amy suddenly spoke to them
“You Young’uns here to send off someone from your family?” asked the man.
Jack replied enthusiastically
“Yeah. Our mom and dad.”
“Oh well ain’ that great? You young’uns must be proud of your mom and dad, I’m sure.” Said the gentleman.
“Yeah, we really are” replied Jack.
“Good, good! Ma own sons in the squad. This’ll be his very firs’ mission and I couldn’ be more proud of him. He’s a scout trooper. What abou’ your papa an’ mama?”asked the gentleman.
“They’re in the scouts too, and they’re captains” replied Jack
“Ah, that’s really great innit? Then ma son will be in your parents’ care. I hope he gets along well with his superiors.”jested the gentleman
“I’m sure that Mom and Dad will get along with him, sir. They’re really fun!” said Jack enthusiastically
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“Hahaha. Thanks, kiddo. Oh! Looks like they’re done with their breifin’” said the Gentleman as he pointed ahead.
True enough, the squadron started scattering and several soldiers were moving towards the crowd, hugging parents, kissing their wives and children, and talking to friends. Jack looked for his parents, but couldn’t see them in the crowd in front of them.
“Jack! Amy!” a young voice came over from the right. A boy, about the same age as Jack moved up to him. He had jet-black hair wearing a green-colored down jacket and black pants. A pair of red-colored half-frame glasses hung from his nose as his black eyes looked through them at Jack.
“Billy! Hey. What’re you doing here?” said Jack.
“I figured you guys would be here to see your parents. Have you seen them yet?” said Billy.
“No, we can’t find them at all in this crowd. Maybe they’re looking for us too.” replied Jack
“Amelia, you look cold. You, ok?” said Billy as he noticed the girl shivering.
“No. it’s freezing cold, even with the jacket” replied Amelia through her chattering teeth
“you two want a blanket? I got two spare blankets in my tent.” Asked Billy.
“Nah, I’m fine. Besides, it ain’t that cold out here.” Said Jack with an enthusiastic tone. At this answer, Amelia looked at Jack and yelled.
“SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!!!!”
“Sorry!! Sorry!!! Jeez!” said Jack
“Right, I’ll go get a blanket” said Billy.
Jack resumed looking for his parents as Billy ran towards the tents. Suddenly, a large burly figure bumped into Jack.
“Sorry!” said Jack. The person turned around and yelled in an unnaturally harsh voice.
“HUUUUH?!! What the hell do you want Punk?!”
The Man’s face was covered in a mask surrounding every inch, and the eyes were behind opaque, yellow goggles. A blue light was visible on one small section of the mask, right over the right ear and the center of the belt. A small wristband was on both his hands. He was accompanied by a female partner who also had her mask up.
“You gnats better get outta the way before we make ya beg for ya mama!!!” exclaimed the woman, in a similarly unnatural tone
Jack sighed and spoke to the pair.
“Dad, Mom, if you’re trying to dupe us, you gotta do better than that. Also, you make sorry excuses for villains if you ask me.” Said Jack
“Yeah, no kidding. That voice is just too yucky for you.” Said Amy.
“Ouch, that’s Harsh! Well, it was a lame act anyway.” Said the man as his mask started to de-materialize.
“We wanted to scare you kids a little. But nothing really scares you much. We should’ve known better.” Said the woman.
Both their masks had completely de-materialized, revealing a middle-aged man and woman. The man had brown hair which was a shade darker than Jack’s, with an almost flat chin, while the woman had short red hair and a round chin. Both removed their goggles and placed it over their heads, showing their identical brown eyes.
The woman then bent down and embraced Jack and Amy.
“Thanks for coming to see us off. That’s so sweet of you kids.” Said Mrs.Foster.
“There wasn’t any way we were not going to see you guys before you go. After all, it will be a long time before we see you again Mom.” Replied jack.
“Yeah, it’ll mostly be a four to five-month-long mission. I’m gonna miss you, kids, terribly.” Said Mrs. Foster as she released the siblings from her hug.
“But why aren’t you wearing your jackets? Isn’t it terribly cold out?” asked Mrs. Foster.
“Well someone here was in such a hurry to see you that he thought it best to wear just a normal pullover!” said Amy through her clenched teeth.
“Jack! You know how much your sister is prone to cold. Why did you not wait till she wore a proper sweater?” said Mr. Foster in an irritated sort of way.
“Sorry Dad,” replied Jack in a low voice
“And what about yourself? Aren’t you cold at all?” asked Mrs. Foster.
To this, Jack replied in the most energetic tone.
“Nope. I ain’t feeling a thing at all.”
Mrs. Foster sighed and put her hand on her forehead as if she was defeated
“Ugh, you got too much energy, kiddo. Like father, like son I suppose.”
The Father gave a nervous laugh at this. At that moment, Billy, who came back with a folded blanket, greeted Jack’s parents.
“Oh! Good evening Mr. and Ms. Foster.”
“Good evening, Billy. Why do you have a blanket?” asked Mr. Foster.
“Oh, I brought it for Amy. She was feeling cold and I had a spare blanket.” Replied Billy.
“Thanks, kiddo!” said Mrs. Foster.
Billy handed the blanket to Amy, who pulled it over her as soon as she got it and heaved a sigh of relief.
“Wow! It’s so warm.” Said Amy with a wide smile
“Well, we kept it to dry for a whole day and it was hanging near the fire.” Said Billy.
“Thanks, Billy.” Said Amelia.
Mrs. Foster then turned to Jack and Amy.
“Right! Almost forgot. Did you listen to the weather report?” asked Mrs. Foster.
“Yeah we heard it on the maglift” replied Jack.
“So you know the drill right? No staying over after we leave. If it’s going to be as thick as they say, you might get stuck if stick around.” Said Mrs. Foster.
At this statement, Jack giggled
“Hahaha…Stuck if you stick around…”
“Not funny Jack!” said Mr. Foster sternly.
“Sorry,” said Jack. Then he suddenly looked at his mother eagerly "Hey Mom! Can we come tomorrow to play in the snow? Please?” asked Jack eagerly.
Mrs. Foster reached for Jack’s left ear and pulled it a little as she said
“That’ll be a big fat no, Jack! You know how we feel about you guys coming to the surface alone.” Said Mrs. Foster.
“Owieee!...But we won’t be alone. We’ll be with Mr. Hoffman. Billy is staying up until he gets an allotment anyway” said Jack.
“Yeah, please Mom!” said Amelia in the same eager tone and look.
“I don’t want you guys to trouble Mr. and Ms. Hoffman. Besides, they’ve gotten their allotment letter.” Said Mrs. Foster.
“WAIT! For real?” Exclaimed Jack and Amy as their eyes darted toward Billy.
“Yeah. I forgot to tell you guys. We were allotted house No.24 to move in, just yesterday.” Said Billy.
“That’s just a street behind us, isn’t it? Awesome!!” exclaimed Jack.
“Yup. Now you guys don’t need to come up to the surface to play with me.” Said Billy.
“All the same, I still wanna play in the snow a little.” said Amelia.
“Amelia, no…..” said Mrs. Foster before Billy interrupted.
“No worries Mrs. Foster, I asked my old man if he could bring me over to play in the snow a little. He agreed to bring me for a little while tomorrow morning. I’ll tell Dad that Jack and Amy are joining in too.”
“Oh but, we don’t want to trouble your dad..” said Mrs. Foster.
“It's all right Mrs.Foster. I’m sure he would love it.”
“You’re the best man!” said Jack.
A cool voice floated in the air as a soldier on the megaphone spoke out.
“Attention all units, please check your equipment and assemble on the flyover! We are leaving in T-Minus five minutes! I repeat please assemble on the flyover. We are leaving in T-Minus five minutes!”
Mr. Foster repositioned his goggles on his nose as Mrs. Foster rose up and did the same.
“That’s us. Well, take care kiddos. We’ll talk as frequently as we can by video calls, so you guys won’t get lonely. Jack, You know how to make breakfast right?” asked Mrs. Foster.
“Yuppp! Count on yours truly!” said Jack.
“Good. Now you will get some rations delivered home about every month. Use them properly. Remember we won’t be coming back for months, so you had better be a responsible brother. Got it?” asked Mr. Foster.
“Got it.” Replied Jack.
“Good. Well, we gotta hustle. See you soon kids.” Said Mr. Foster.
Then suddenly, Amelia spoke in a slightly trembling voice.
“Mom, Dad. You will come back, right?”
Jack turned his eyes towards Amelia, as did Mr. and Mrs. Foster, and Billy. Two droplets of tears were sliding down on Amelia’s cheeks, their trails visible due to the evening light. Mr. and Mrs. Foster kneeled down as they hugged both Jack and Amelia and said.
“Of course, we will Amy. You guys are our world. No way we would leave you. I will always dream about the two of you while we’re apart.” Said Mrs. Foster as she wiped Amelia’s tears.
“Hey, kiddo, Your Mommy and Daddy aren’t called ’The Furies’ for no reason. We will come back. That’s a promise.” Said Mr. Foster.
“Yeah, They’ll come back. I’m sure of it!” said Jack in a confident tone.
“Ok.” Said Amelia, with a bit more confidence.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jack. Now we really gotta go. Jack! You promise to look after your sister and never leave her alone. Got it!” said Mr. Foster.
“SIR! YESSIR!” said Jack while giving a salute.
“Hahahaha! good answer. At ease soldier.” Said Mrs. Foster as she ruffled Jack’s smooth caramel hair.
“See you ki….”
Mr.Foster was interrupted by a loud siren coming from the direction of the walls. Loudspeakers placed on one of the lamp posts on the sidewalk spoke with a stern voice.
“ATTENTION! ATTENTION! We are under attack! Please vacate the city and move towards the maglifts in a calm and orderly fashion. I repeat! Please move towards the maglifts in a calm and orderly fashion.”
No sooner had the message been addressed, the air that was echoing with cheers, was now filled with screams as people started to run down the main road towards a Four-way intersection
“WHAT THE HELL?!!!” exclaimed Mr. Foster.
“Right when we were about to leave? Boy, that sucks.” Said Mrs. Foster
A beeping sound suddenly came from Mr. and Mrs. Foster’s wristbands, where a blue light blinked as rapidly as the beeping. They touched the blue light and a miniature holographic projection showed up on their hands. A waveform of a voice was displayed.
“This is the southern garrison! Can anyone hear us?! We need immediate assistance! I repeat we need immediate assistance.”
“Copy southern garrison, This is Captain Foster of the Scout regiment. What the hell’s going on out there?” Said Mr. Foster.
“Captain! We need emergency assistance now. We are under attack from three different directions from the south. And it’s not just one species. There are three of them!!” said the voice
“WHAAT!?” exclaimed Mrs. Foster as she listened in
“Yeah! We have seven Ghoul hounds, three Rhinigators, and five Pteravens. They’re attacking from the south, southwest, and southeast sir. We need backup urgently! Our forces are holding them for now, but it won’t be long before they break through!”
“Roger! We will send back-up your way as soon as possible, just hang in there!” said Mr.Foster as he activated his mask.