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Michiko stumbled out of bed.
“Mom! Dad!”
She put her hands on the door. It was sealed.
She couldn't see past the purple plasma swirling across the window.
Her parents.
There was no sign of them.
They were gone.
“No!” Michiko cried.
She dashed for the red button on the wall and jammed it.
“Help!” she shouted. “Please, help!”
No answer.
She ran for the door and tried to open it.
It was locked from the outside.
“What’s going on?” Michiko asked under her breath.
She beat on the door.
“Hey, let me out!” she said, banging as hard as she could. “There’s been an emergency!”
She pushed the red button again.
Still, there was no response.
She grabbed a chair next to her bed and raised it over her head, ready to throw it at the door.
And then the lights went out.
She dropped th
