WE RETURNED DOWNSTAIRS to Nathan watching the news headlines for the second time that day. After suggesting a film instead, Sean went off to make drinks and find snacks. Within no time, we were staring bog eyed at the screen, a drink in one hand, food in the other, adeptly coordinating the alternations of fingers to mouths. The film wasn’t bad—as far as aliens and world domination went—even if the U.S.A. was going to save the entire world from total annihilation, yet again. The President had just ordered the airstrike of an alien aircraft, when the sound of swinging gates reached us, followed by heavy footsteps and the rolling of wheels across paving.
Our heads tilted at the same time. Recognising the engine as Connor’s and the footsteps as Ethan’s, I relaxed back into my seat—until the f
