I lay in a pool of my own blood, my life slipping away with each passing second. The warm, sticky liquid seemed to be spreading rapidly, enveloping me in its thick red grasp. I couldn't move or feel; thinking was hard enough.
The pain was excruciating, a burning sensation that threatened to consume me whole. As I waited for death to finally arrive, I caught a glimpse of a figure approaching me. Before I could get a good look, everything went dark, and I was plunged into a deep, foreboding abyss.
A few hours earlier.
Somewhere in southern Canada.
2046.
I lay on my bed, deep in thought, as I often did every morning. Overthinking had become a hobby of mine, a constant companion that I couldn't seem to shake off. My life could be lost at any instant, and the weight of that knowledge hung over me like a cross.
Having a peaceful life in this place, time, and age was harder than it had been ten years ago. The city was a bustling metropolis, a hub of technological advancement and innovation. But with great progress came great danger, and I knew that I had to be constantly on my guard.
The sound of footsteps outside my room brought me back to reality. A few seconds later, a feminine figure appeared at my doorway. My mother's black hair framed her jewel-blue eyes, which sparkled with compassion. Her face was etched with worry, and I knew that she was concerned about me.
"It's time for breakfast, honey. Are you eating at home today?" she asked, her tone warm and inviting.
"I don't think so, Mom. I'd rather eat in the cafeteria during recess. I need to round up some of my research experiments before classes begin," I replied, trying to sound casual despite the sadness that crept into my voice.
My mother's expression turned sympathetic, and I felt a pang of guilt for worrying her. I quickly got dressed and headed out the door, eager to start my day.
The walk to school was my daily exercise routine. It usually took me about half an hour, but today I arrived ten minutes early. I had an experiment to finish, and I was determined to get it done.
As I worked, I stared at the strange, spider-like technology before me. I had found it hovering above the window of my classroom a month ago. Initially, I suspected it might be a drone used for spying, but weeks of testing had led me to conclude that it wasn't of human origin.
The device was small, no larger than a volleyball, and its surface was covered in intricate, swirling patterns. It seemed to be made of some kind of metal, but it was unlike any metal I had ever seen before.
Just as I was about to give up, I heard a soft voice behind me. "Hit another wall?"
I turned to see Ann, a beautiful blond girl with green, dreamy eyes. Her smile could always brighten my day, but today it didn't seem to be working.
"I suppose so," I replied, trying to force a smile.
Ann walked towards me, her curiosity piqued. "What's the project this time?" she asked, glancing at the strange technology.
I took pride in sharing my work with her. "Take a look at this and tell me what you think," I said, gesturing to the device.
Ann observed it for a while before responding. "I'm not really sure what to think. What is it? To me, it looks like something straight out of a Power Rangers or sci-fi movie."
I chuckled. "I don't know either. At first, I thought it was a drone built for spying, but I was wrong. This 'thing' isn't made of any material in the periodic table, except if another element was newly discovered, which I highly doubt."
I explained my tests to Ann, who listened intently. "Not on the periodic table? Is that even possible?" she asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
"I'm not sure. Here's another surprising thing: it's obvious that this 'thing' works with electricity, but I couldn't determine the type of circuitry embedded in it. It doesn't react to any device I use to test it, almost like it's more advanced than our tech or not even made by anything or anyone from this time."
Ann's curiosity was piqued even further. "So, what do you think?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you think it's from the future or from another planet or something?" she continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Though I could feel that her question was meant as a joke to lighten my mood.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "Yes and no," I said finally, trying to choose my words carefully.
Ann looked puzzled. "You were correct with your deductions. I had the exact same thoughts in mind as well. I hope we're wrong, though. If this 'thing' is from the future or from another world, then we're in a lot of trouble. A whole lot of trouble."
We stood there in silence, lost in thought, when we heard loud noises from outside. At first, I thought it was just the usual chaos of students fighting or cheering, but then I realized that something was off. The cries and screams sounded different. They sounded more desperate.
The sounds were coming from the hallway, and they were getting louder by the second. Ann and I exchanged a worried glance before rushing to the window. What we saw took our breath away.
The sky was darkening, as if a massive shadow was spreading across the city. People were running wildly, screaming and crying. Others stood frozen, staring up at the sky in horror.
I followed Ann's gaze upwards, and my heart skipped a beat. Hovering above us, a few kilometers in the air, was an enormous, ominous presence. It looked like a spaceship, its massive build blocking out the sunlight and casting a dark shadow over the city.
The sheer scale of it was awe-inspiring, and I felt tiny and insignificant in comparison. The ship's hull was a deep, metallic gray, and it seemed to absorb the light around it. It was as if the ship was a void, a hole in the fabric of our reality.
Ann's voice was shaky and barely above a whisper. "What is that?"
I shook my head, my mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know, but I think we're in trouble."
The ship's presence seemed to be causing chaos throughout the city. Cars were crashing, buildings were shaking, and people were running wildly in all directions. It was like the very fabric of our reality was unraveling before our eyes.
Suddenly, the ship's hull began to glow with a bright, pulsing light. The light grew brighter and brighter, until it was like looking directly into the sun.
I raised my hand to shield my eyes, but Ann just stood there, frozen in terror. I grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the window, just as the light reached its peak intensity.
The world around us seemed to dissolve into chaos. The sound of screams and crashing filled the air, and I felt like I was being pulled apart by some unseen force.
The light was so intense that it seemed to burn itself into my retina. I felt like I was staring into the very heart of the ship, and it was staring back at me.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything went black.
I stumbled backwards, my eyes blinded by the intense light. I heard Ann's voice, faint and distant, but I couldn't see her.
"Ann?" I called out, my voice shaking with fear.
There was no answer.
I stumbled forward, my hands outstretched in front of me. I was blind, and I was alone.
And then, everything went silent.