Rubble

Prologue

***

"Mom? Mom, what's that noise?"

A woman stood, looking out her bedroom window at the inferno burning not too far away. She lived in an apartment with her three children and husband. She had moved here from Ireland just days ago, to escape the war going on in Europe. Sadly, America had decided to interfere, sparking the beginning of World War Three. The woman, Emily, looked at her bedroom doorway. There stood her children, in their pyjamas, scared out of their wits. The city of New York was burning. And her three kids were... just kids. 

"Hey, sweeties," Emily said, going over to her two eldest kids, "remember why we moved here?"

Her daughter spoke first. "To escape the war, Mom. We're thirteen, not eight."

Emily nodded. "I know, honey. But listen, the war has followed us. There is only one option, one escape, so you guys, me and Dad are going to pack up again, and leave the city."

"Where will we go?" Emily's son asked. 

Emily sighed as tears cornered her eyes. "I don't know."

Her daughter slumped against the doorway. Her eyes closed and she sighed deeply, heavily. "Mom, I can see out the window. Our only way out of the city is either a hot trip through that fire or some hardcore parkour."

A tear slipped down Emily's cheek. "I'm so sorry, kids, I really am. If we'd have stayed in Ireland-" she choked on a sob, and her son hugged her tight. He was already as tall as her. "I'll go get Toby."

Toby was the newest addition to the family - Emily's youngest, 3-month-old son. She knew there wasn't much hope for Toby. With the bombs people had today, chances are none of them would make it. Her kids would never see adulthood, nor love, nor a full, happy life. The woman believed she had seen a full life, having kids, getting married, having a home. Heck, she even moved countries. She believed she'd seen enough. Poor Toby couldn't even speak. Emily nodded. 

"Okay, grab Toby."

Her daughter spoke up next. "I'll pack our bags," and she ran out of the room. 

Next thing Emily knew, she was on the floor, a ringing in her ears. She put her hands up to her ears and they came away bloody. Dammit! Emily cursed in her head. She tried to get up but couldn't. Her daughter bolted into the room, screaming. Emily couldn't hear it.

Then the pain hit.

Her thighs felt like they were on fire, her head felt like it could explode. Emily gripped her hands around her ears and screamed. 

She didn't hear the scream. Another explosion came

and Emily felt nothing.