Rise of The Unseen

The Last of the Mundane

The evening sun cast a warm glow through the living room window, as if unaware of the ominous events unfolding across the world. Inside, an old lady sat on her cozy couch, her eyes fixated on the TV screen, a casual routine from her mundane life. The faint hum of the air conditioner mixed with the soft murmur of the television, creating a soothing backdrop for the unfolding events of the evening news.

In the cozy kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet aroma of pancakes, creating an inviting atmosphere.

At the kitchen table, a young boy sat on a wooden chair, his face a canvas of anticipation and hunger. His mother stood beside him with his younger brother in her hold, a picture of grace and care, as she lovingly prepared a plate of golden-brown pancakes, each one adorned with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

The boy's eyes lit up as he watched his mother's every move, his stomach rumbling in eager anticipation. He couldn't help but reach out and sneak a fingerful of whipped cream, earning a gentle yet playful scolding from his mother, who wore a warm smile that radiated affection.

Now in a dimly lit room, the glow from the computer screen painted soft hues across the walls, creating an ambiance of techno-magic. The room was a sanctuary of sorts, filled with little stars on the ceiling, a bunk bed with both beds messed up, and shelves lined with an eclectic mix of books and gadgets. The soft hum of the computer and the faint click-clack of the keyboard provided the soundtrack to the young girl's private world.

Seated at her desk, the girl was completely engrossed in the virtual realm that unfolded before her. Her fingers danced across the keyboard with a practiced rhythm, executing complex maneuvers in a fast-paced online game. The vibrant colors of the game, the rapid-fire action, and the sense of competition drew her in, creating a sense of exhilaration that was palpable.

Her face was illuminated by the monitor's glow, reflecting the intense focus and concentration she poured into her virtual endeavors. The occasional gasps of excitement or groans of frustration punctuated the room, revealing the emotional roller coaster she was riding within the digital realm.

Surrounding her were hints of her personality— a messy desk but with everything positioned in a specific way only she knew, a book she was yet to read in the middle of the desk, a little wooden owl, posters of her favorite fantasy worlds and science fiction heroes, a collection of action figures that stood as silent witnesses to her adventures, and a pair of worn-in headphones that helped immerse her even deeper into the landscapes.

Through the open window, the distant sounds of the real world occasionally seeped in—a car passing by, the distant laughter of kids playing outside—but they were mere background noise, barely registering in her conscious awareness as she navigated through the intricacies of the game.

Time seemed to slip away in her room, where the lines between reality and the digital space blurred. The computer screen was a canvas upon which she painted her own story, where challenges were conquered, friendships forged, and adventures experienced, all from the comfort of her private haven.

Little did Marta know, this would be the last ordinary evening she would experience. In the living room, the news anchor's voice held a slightly urgent tone as they reported on an unusual disease taking over the hospital with tons of people being registered over the last few hours and how a growing sense of unease was being built among experts.

Her grandmother leaned forward, her brows furrowing as she tried to comprehend the significance of the reports. The images on the screen showed nervous-looking doctors gathering medical supplies and the hospital completely full of people from the age of 27 and older. The old woman felt a shiver crawl down her spine, calling her daughter to share this information.

As Ana, her daughter, reached the living room, a breaking news alert interrupted the regular programming. The anchor's voice trembled as they described the unthinkable—there has been a break at the hospital and the sick people were getting out. The air seemed to grow heavy, and a sense of disbelief settled in the pit of Ana's stomach.

The screen split, showing live footage from around the world. Panicked crowds running from the sick people, their faces a mixture of nervousness and fear. Suddenly the anchor announced that it had been recommended by the government of New Dawn to retreat to a famous football stadium where there would be several teams working on protecting the healthy and keeping away the sick.

"Mom-" Ana started. "Get the kids! You need to take them to safety, I'll call your sister, I'll be ok!" The old lady said as she rushed to get dressed.

The first thing Ana did was call her ex-husband, the father of two of her kids, to tell him that they were going to move to the football stadium. Immediately Fábio said that they would pick them up to take them by car.

The second thing Ana did was call her boyfriend to tell him that she was gonna take their son and that they were gonna meet there.

"Raphael, go get dressed! Quick! And tell your sister to get dressed too!" She said hurriedly. As the boy was going to interrupt to ask where they were going, the mom simply said, "No questions! Just be quick!".

The boy skipped the bedroom he shared with his older sister and he said, "Marta! Mom said we need to get dressed quickly." The sister took off her headphones and said, "Damn Raphael, leave me-" then she heard her mother yell "Marta!". The girl huffed as she stood up and went to meet her mom.

"What?" She sighed. "This is not a joke, I seriously need you to get you and your brother dressed, your dad is almost here and we have to leave soon!" When her mother said this, she realized how important the situation was because of how serious her mother was.

"Mom? What's going on?" Marta said as she fixed her posture. "Check the news on your phone as you get dressed! Go!" Her mother answered.

Marta rushed to get dressed and she checked her social media to find that everybody was freaking out, explaining that people were going crazy, biting each other and fighting each other, and that they were all trying to go to the stadium but some people were getting denied.

When they all finished getting dressed they heard a horn outside, meaning that Fábio had just gotten there. Before Marta left after her mother, despite the yells of the latter, she went into her room for one last time to get her polaroids of her brothers squeezed in a hug and one with her and her mother smiling widely. Then, after saying goodbye to her grandmother, they all rushed outside and got into the gray car. Marta's father was driving and her mother was in the front as well and Marta was in the back with her brother next to her, and she was holding her baby brother.

"Seatbelts on! We gotta go..." Fábio said as he put the car in drive.