Pray or Be Prey

Chapter One

Eyes flashed open, trying to focus, to determine dream from reality. There was nearly no light in the space except for a low orange glow in the far left corner of the room. Its source was that of a small nightlight. Tiny hairs on the ears danced as airflow streamed from the ceiling fan above. Taking in the immediate surroundings and the goosebumps now forming over bare arms, the brain concluded it was registering the tangible. A pair of medium-light brown eyes were shuttered again as the brain did it's best to recall the events of the night. Vivid events. The images were in color, their brilliance undeniable, many of which the tones, proved to be a challenge for the brain place—their luminescence beyond the vocabulary it possessed. There was someone tall—a man, male for sure. A man was the closest reference, though it lacked so much when considering many of his—its characteristics. His hair was the one image that stayed at the forefront of the memory. It was mesmerizing.

Another memory washed away the current one with a backdrop of black sky. Very few lights of the night sparkled against it. Only something like that of gunmetal grey outlined an aircraft of sorts. Its appearance was not like any aircraft known to exist. There was no tail or long wingspan. This ship was shaped more like that of an oblong piece belonging to a child's shape-learning toy set. It had rows of lights near the top, while the underneath was solid grey. Silently it sat, suspended in the air. After a few moments, the aircraft slowly began to move towards what one would describe as a tear in the sky. As if someone or something had pulled down a zipper because on the other side of the slit shone a bright yellow, almost white light.

The brain continued to try and recall more of the dream but wasn't successful. Instead, it let the darkness envelope it until consciousness conceded to the lure of slumbering bliss. Sending out one last instruction, the body turned on its left side while pulling the cool sheet over the right shoulder. Mirah's lungs expanded to their limit before forcing the air out of her mouth. Head nuzzling deeper into the fluffy pillow. She slept well into the early hours of the morning, unaware that her dreams were much more than nighttime entertainment. They held keys to the days and events which soon would invade her reality. That was six months ago.

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Dew hung like a thick blanket while the pair made their way as quietly as possible through the remaining stretch of tall grass, which ended at the river's edge. Father and son, both tired and cold from the long night's journey, picked up the pace sensing hope just beyond the far sides embankment. Fog appeared to levitate over the calm waters, making visibility much less than the father had hoped at this time of the morning.

Flickering rays from the new day's sun creeping across the horizon fought to push through small openings of the dark—nearly black clouds which had begun to remain in the skies as of fifteen days ago. These were no ordinary clouds; they didn't move in the air— always stationary—menacing. At first, the weatherman on the TV advised everyone that they appeared to be stationary clouds, when in fact they were moving slower than human eyes or current technology could detect. Still, after five days, panic started to bubble through the city, threatening to erupt like a too long-dormant volcano. Something was very wrong. The undeniable fact coursed like shocking electricity through people's veins.

It was by the eighth day that pockets of chaos spewed without much resistance into the streets. The almost constant overcast sky, lack of daylight, and skin prickling fear were taking their toll on everyone. Residents began to raid the grocery stores, turning into looting as the days went by. Not long after that, there was a run on the banks. First responders became overwhelmed. People started to stay home, adults not going to work, children not going to school. It was as if an apocalyptic movie was being played out. Anyone in their right mind could tell, whatever was taking place, humankind was not the cause of it. It was evident that staying in the city was no longer becoming a safe option.