Stellar

Chapter 1

It's June 2, the last day of school. The year is 2085. Yes, we have been able to live that long with our atmosphere the way it is. Last hour science, the teacher stopped giving a single F in April. He's on his computer watching cat fails, same thing he always dose when we have free time.

All of the sudden, the computer and smart board black out, and the sound disappears, leaving the white noise like buzz of electricity. The lights all turn off, even the emergency light in the center of the ceiling, which never turns off. Of course, the boys in the class are being annoying and dramatic, screaming and causing a ruckus on purpose. All of the sudden, the smart board turns on again, but what we see is the opposite of a funny cat video. It is a pixilated, blurred image of a figure with 4 purple-gray arms and a face darker than the night sky. Its eyes are a glittering purple, and its mouth, a gaping hole that looks like there is wind swirling through it. It looks so terrifying, I was sure nothing could be scarier. And then it started speaking.

"Attention people of the Milkey Way Galaxy. I think we can both agree that you have lived safe and comfortably for far too long. Our main ship is parked just outside of your galaxy, away from the reach of your flimsy telescopes. You should be losing signals from your precious space stations right about now, actually. However, that is far besides the point- Our species, the Geloaê, have decided to give you Earth scum a sporting chance at keeping your planet, or somewhat yours at least. At the end of this video, you you will be emailed a file. Download this file into your smartphone device, there, you will be given further instruction and information."

The voice sounds like sandpaper grinding against wood, yet electronic at the same time. Immediately, everyone in the classroom's cellphones start beeping. They unlock their phones, and I do the same. The email icon has a little red one on it-an indication that I have a message. I click onto the app hesitantly, and download the file from an unknown source.

My phone starts to ring, and I tap the green answer option. I hold the phone to my ear and listen:

"Congratulations, you have cooperated. Following these instructions is your only chance of surviving to tomorrow. You will be allowed to bring one friend who dose not have a touchscreen cellular device, as they will not be able to hear this message. Gather that one person, then run outside. Call this number back; for you will be given further instruction."

The line disconnects, and I immediately run to my friend Mary. She has a cellphone, but it's not touchscreen, so she hasn't heard the message. I grab her arm, quickly explain what the message said, and then drag her out of the classroom. Together, we run down the hallway. I take out my phone and get ready to call the phone number. Once we get outside, I dial the number. It rings once, then we hear the voice again.

"Please set your device on the ground approximately ten feet away from you."

That's it. That's all it says. I look back and find that multiple students have ran out the school doors. I set my phone on the ground around ten feet away and wait. All of the sudden, my phone jumps to life like a transformer. It shifts, cracks, and grows until it is as large as a dining table and shaped like the front of a Ferrari , but with no wheels and it is standing straight up like a refrigerator . Wings protrude from both sides of the machine, and the door opens, fog spilling out the sides. There are two seats tightly placed together inside, not leaving room for much else.

I look at Mary hesitantly, tears streaking both of our faces. Her long blonde hair shifts in the suddenly strong wind. I look up and find that the sky had turned a dark grayish purple. The sun was still there, but rather than a fimiliar, friendly yellow, it is a sinister lavender color. Mary and I run into the space craft, quickly closing the door behind us. We look out of the windows and see our other friends all toss their phones to the ground. Me and Mary look at the controls in front of us. The glowing touchscreen keypad is all dark, other than one right in the middle. It says one word:

Go.