Kane (2025)

Chapter One: The Day the World Changed!

The morning light filtered through the lace curtains of the modest, two-story house in the quiet town of Havenbrook, Pennsylvania. Nestled in the hills, the year was 1999, a time of subtle technological advancements and rising political tensions. The Ace family began their day like any other.

Alistair Ace stood in the kitchen, a tall man with broad shoulders and a kind face, his hair a deep chestnut brown. He hummed a tune as he flipped pancakes on the stove, the sweet smell mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. His wife, Marissa, bustled around the kitchen, her golden hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She was petite, with a warmth that radiated from her every smile.

"Kane, breakfast is ready!" Marissa called out, her voice carrying up the wooden staircase.

Kane, an eight-year-old boy with striking silver hair and bright blue eyes, came bounding down the stairs. He was followed closely by their loyal golden retriever, Rusty, whose tail wagged furiously. Kane's laughter filled the house, a sound so pure and innocent that it brought smiles to his parents' faces.

"Morning, champ!" Alistair said, ruffling Kane's hair. "Ready for some pancakes?"

Kane nodded eagerly, climbing up onto his chair. Rusty sat patiently by his side, hoping for a bite of pancake to fall his way.

As they ate breakfast together, the radio played softly in the background, the newscaster discussing the latest tensions between global superpowers and the looming threat of war that had everyone on edge. But in their little corner of the world, the Ace family was happy, their love a fortress against the uncertainties outside.

After breakfast, Alistair and Marissa prepared for the day. Alistair, a firefighter, donned his uniform, the badge gleaming on his chest. Marissa, a school teacher, gathered her lesson plans and kissed her family goodbye.

"Be good today, Kane," she said, hugging him tightly. "I'll see you after school."

"Love you, Mum," Kane replied, his voice muffled against her sweater.

Rusty barked as if to echo the sentiment, his tail still wagging.

The day passed uneventfully, the routine of life providing a comforting rhythm. But as dusk fell, the tranquillity of Havenbrook was shattered by the distant sound of explosions.

The radio buzzed with urgent news: the United States had been invaded. The long-simmering tensions had erupted into full-blown war, and Havenbrook, with its strategic location, was now on the front lines.

Alistair received a call to duty, his face pale but determined as he kissed Marissa and Kane goodbye. "Stay safe," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Marissa gathered Kane and Rusty close, trying to shield them from the horrors unfolding outside. But the war was relentless, and soon, their town was engulfed in chaos.

The once quiet streets of Havenbrook were now filled with the sounds of gunfire and the cries of the wounded. Alistair fought bravely alongside his fellow firefighters, trying to save as many lives as possible, but the enemy forces were overwhelming.

One night, as Marissa and Kane huddled in their basement, the ground shook with a deafening explosion. The house above them crumbled, the walls caving in. Marissa shielded Kane with her body, her last act of love as the debris buried them.

Kane woke to darkness and silence. His head throbbed, and his lungs burned with the dust and smoke. He tried to move, but his mother’s lifeless body pinned him down. “Mum?” he called weakly, his voice breaking. “Mum, please wake up.”

There was no answer. Rusty, who had been by Kane’s side, lay motionless nearby. The loyal dog had stayed with his family until the end, but even his fierce love couldn't protect them from the horrors of war.