Flipside

Chapter 1

It began with a siren. The piercingly high pitched sound cut through the lazy July air, snapping my focus away from my chemistry homework. I had never heard something so loud, so urgent. First dread, then panic worked its way inside my bloodstream. I leapt out of my desk chair, hoping that looking out of the window would provide an answer.

Nothing. It was pitch black outside.

At first I was unbothered, perhaps a little frustrated, but then realization crashed into me, knocking the breath out of my lungs. It was noon. How could it be so dark in the middle of the day? That was impossible. Unnatural even. Could it be? No, surely not. They wouldn't come to such a small town. Would they? Perhaps I did not want an answer after all. Perhaps ignorance would be safer.

Just as I was about to return to balancing chemical equations, the lights cut out. I thought of calling someone- anyone- but, for some reason, my phone was dead. That was strange. It was on a hundred percent about fifteen minutes ago. I had never felt so alone, so helpless, in my life. Home alone, no electricity or any possible way of contacting anybody. If they came, I would most certainly die.

drip. drip. drip.

A dripping noise began, seemingly in the same room as me. I froze, not daring to find out where it came from. An icy feeling swept through the room, numbing my skin. I clamped a hand over my mouth and nervously gripped my desk with both hands. Wait...

The third hand tightened itself over my mouth, muffling my scream. Seemingly from nowhere, a damp cloth came over my face, smothering me. I knew what this was. Trying to hold my breath, I attempted to break free of the person's grasp. I kicked out and fought against their grip, but they were far too strong to be overcome by a weak teenager like myself. I soon gave up, the gas stinging the inside of my nose as it entered my body and I slowly sank into unconsciousness.