The World As We Know It

Chapter Two

A piercing scream erupted into the air, jerking me from my deep sleep and bringing me on high alert. The sun was shining, bathing the room with its rays through the curtains. Jack was still sleeping in bed next to me, arm covering his face, mouth open and slightly snoring. He was so peaceful, so quiet, so relaxed.

I slowly turned and placed my feet on the ground, being quiet as a mouse to move out of the bed and stand up. Another scream blasted through the air, entering our home and vibrating off of the walls. I knew it wasn't Claire. A train could run straight through the house and Jack and Claire would still sleep straight through it. I walked out of the bedroom, silently closing the door behind me. The kitchen and living room were bright, so much brighter than our bedroom had been. The back door was no longer attached to the frame. It had been blown off. by what, I had no idea. I started towards the front door, hoping someone outside could explain. The closer I got to the door, the louder the voices outside were. It wasn't just the screaming that woke me, I realized. People were crowding the street, talking very loudly and over each other. I opened the door right as another scream came from the crowd.

It was huge. The head was shaped like a skull, even the detailing was impeccable. The arms were long and lanky, giving 5 fingers at the end. The legs and feet were the same, just like human feet. The scream happened again. Everyone covered their ears in pain, and it wasn't until then that I realized the scream was coming from it. It was trying to communicate. It twisted its head and stared right at me. Jumbled words came from it, nothing that could be translated by me, that was for sure. I backed up, back into my house and slowly drew my hand towards the door. It pushed people aside, hurriedly stomping towards me and stopping the door from closing. The body bent in half, face in front of mine. It tilted its head to the side, staring at me. The eyes were mechanical. Like a robot. This is a robot. Not an alien.

I let out a soft sigh and the robot warbled. It lifted a finger and touched my chin. I felt coldness wash over me, chills going through my entire body. I could not move. I could not speak. I was still. silent, afraid. The finger moved from my chin to my forehead, pressing harder.

"Mom?" came a voice from behind me.

I quickly turned, feeling the robot gran me by the waist with both hands and pull me back. Jack was standing next to Claire, pulling her arm to keep her from moving forward any more than she already had. The grip around me got tighter and i struggled to be still.

"Stay there, Claire," I replied.

"Claire."

The robot shifted and loosened its grip. "Claire," it repeated, looking at my daughter.

I wriggled free and stumbled towards my family. The robot stayed at the doorway, staring at us. The neighbors were behind it, poking it and measuring it up. He took and thudding step back, pushing everyone away.

"What do you want from us?" asked Jack, stepping forward towards it and pushing us backwards.

"Want," repeated the robot. "Want. Home."

Everyone backed up, Shocked faces bright. It talked. Out of everything it just did, the screaming, the touching, the tilts, it can TALK?

Jack pushed us back further and slammed the door, taking a deep breathe. The robot sunk into the crowd at the door and disappeared. Jack looked at me, a mixture of emotions in his eyes.

"Go, Now," he whispered to Claire and I.

We all silently walked to the back of the house where we had a spare bedroom, away from the front door and the robot.

The room was dark, blackout curtains swept in front of the window. It was quiet, stale, chilly. The room was completely empty, not a single piece of furniture in sight. the carpet muffled the sound of feet and movement, so it was the perfect spot to rest and be away from everyone.

Claire moved slightly, looking at me and smiling.

"I had a date," she said, happily as ever. "To prom, I had a date."

"Who was it?" asked Jack, trying to keep the attention on her and not the commotion outside.

"Levi from down the road," she replied.

Levi was a scrawny redhead who has always had a crush on Claire and was the absolute sweetest boy around. We didn't tell Claire who she could and could not date. She was 18, almost a graduate, and a grown woman. Her choices were her own although we would express our opinion if asked.

"Levi is a sweet boy," I said, giving her a smile.

Jack looked at the door, got up off of the floor, and slowly opened it. Sure enough, it was quiet. I stood as well, along with Claire, and we all walked to the front door. It was empty, not a soul in sight. The big tree behind Fernando's house was lit, engulfed in flames but there was no one around putting it out. We walked out into the road, looking up and down the neighborhood. All of our houses were the exact same, aside from color and decorations. Same driveway, same interior, same kitchen, etc. Everyone's front door was open, but still no one was to be seen. I slowly started walking towards Cassie's house. I don't understand I thought. What is happening right now? Where is everyone?

My question of where everyone was quickly was answered. As I reached Cassie's front door, a noise came from the bottom of the hill, towards the end of the subdivision. There stood everyone, staring down at the town below us. Fire spread across homes, bars, shops. Our neighborhood sat at the top of the only hill in the valley and was untouched from any of the damage seen below, aside from Fernando's tree on fire, that tree should really be put out about now. With the town ablaze, a reddish orange haze swept across the sky, sending shadows in ever directions along with smoke and sparks. Jack and Claire joined me at the top, looking down upon the town.

"Good God," Jack said.

"God won't save us now," replied Claire.

I hugged them tight, and we watched as the place we called home slowly burned to the ground