Happy Friday internet folks! Here’s a little story I wrote, hope you enjoy!

Invasion by Adam Wright

It was early morning when the sirens blared. The skies went dark and there was a smell of sulfur in the air. We ran out into the streets clutching our ears against the noise. Despite the darkness, glaring lights broke through. I had to shield my eyes from the intense pain of it. Most of us clutched our ears against the din. The sirens sounded loud and long, rescue vehicles making their way to pick up whatever wreckage they could. The low hum wouldn’t stop. The constant noise drove some of us mad.

I watched as people jumped from windows, making the sign of their faith as they fell to their death on the concrete below. Had I known what was in store, I would have envied them their foresight. Walking past the rubble and the wreckage it was too surreal to understand. 

There had been no warning, nothing to alert us. In my mind, when I remember those moments, I still imagine the ships as flat saucers. The screen footage shows the reality of gigantic structures, larger than mountains, all in slick lines and angles, like arrows fired from an ancient bow. Yet, I see the saucers. I guess it’s what I expected them to look like. Little green men, you know?

I had been on my way to work like most of us. I grabbed a little pick me up beverage, part of my morning routine, and was close to the building. Seconds later I ducked for cover and wondered what could possibly come next. 

The news feeds picked it up quickly. If I had access to a screen at the time, I would have gathered more information. As it was, I was concerned with surviving the moment and getting to Sara. I had to know she was alright.

The school was near me and I felt my legs pumping before I realized what I was doing. I traveled past the rescue vehicles, past fires already burning. I covered my ears. I don’t know when I realized I dropped everything I needed for work. All the documents and plans for the day were irrelevant. Forgotten detritus in a sea of debris that no longer mattered. Everything we knew, everything we understood changed forever in a matter of minutes. There was no turning back from it and no escape. 

I arrived at the school and rushed past the gates, into the building. Sara was covering her head, cowering in the corner with a few others. I picked her up and ran outside. She clutched my side and clung to my clothing. I had no idea where to go. It was too big for me to understand. How could anyone understand this?

I imagined we would have to look to our leaders to sort this out, if it could be sorted out. In moments giant view screens appeared in front of us. It seemed they materialized out of nowhere. I still don’t know how they accomplished that. Then we saw the gruesome faces, shades of many colors, tiny eyes and mouths, snarling, speaking in languages we could not possibly know.

It took months for us to fight back. Months to gather resources, plan strategies, and attack without a word of warning, just as they did to us. Every day during that time, I had one goal. Keep Sara alive. I’m not a perfect parent but I did my job. I sacrificed as much as anyone else to do it but I have no regrets.

After it was all over, after we beat them back and they left us alone, Sara had aged more than I could have imagined. I’d done my part, fought alongside the others. It was just luck I was in the battalion that destroyed their main ship. But it was satisfying seeing those aggressive and angular structures split apart in a burst of fire and flames.

After all the heroes’ welcomes and accolades I received, I think there is only one relevant question. Of course, Sara was the one to ask it. I wish I had an answer for her then or now when she said, “Where is Earth and why do they want to destroy us?”

I fear there is no answer I can give her. I only pray they never decide to come back.