The Toaster of Terror (Book One of the Annihilating Appliances Series)

The Toaster of Terror

It was a great day today, or at least until the toaster attacked.

But we'll get to that later. 

It was a sunny, cloudless day in our village, which rarely happens. Normally, in the stormy village of Braedon, you can't see the sun. For the toddlers, it might be their first time actually seeing this big bulb in the sky that everyone talks about. However, nobody really minds. Umbrellas are of the latest fashion, and you wouldn't find a single family with their shoe-rack, coat closet, and umbrella bin neatly organized into their mudroom. 

However, when we do have these days where it is sunny and warm, we make the most of it.

School was canceled, and what seemed to be the entire town was outside, walking around or going to the lush garden that we had in Town Square (another perk to so much rain). Some of the 2 year olds were gazing outside in wonder, noticing the world and what it was like without the artificial light coming from our streetlamps.

My friends and I had a game of tag going. I was faster than the current tagger, Zach. I easily dodged his outstretched hands and ran to the other side of the square.

Zach slowed down, looking defeated that he couldn't catch me, before turning to our other friends semi-stalking him as a way to taunt them.

Since all of the action was at the other end, I took a moment to feel the sun on my face. I looked straight up. Nothing. To the east? Nada. I looked to the far west and saw the giant sphere moving downwards towards the horizon. "We've been playing outside that long?" I wondered in my head. I looked at my watch. 4:00 PM. "Wow." I said to no one in particular.

The horizon looked so pretty at times like these. I loved the way the trees contrasted against the setting sun, red and orange hues against black. The giant square was a new addition, though. I gazed at it in wonder, and by staying still as I could, I saw that it was shuffling, from side to side. Whatever that thing was, it was walking, coming for my home. And we don't really get visitors here, so I concluded it wasn't friendly.

Zach sneaked up behind me, grabbing my shoulders and happily said, "I caught you! You're it!" 

Apparently the next words to come out of my mouth were, "Please tell me that there isn't a giant thing coming towards our town, presumably to destroy us all." Tim chuckled, thinking I was joking, and remarked, "Remember, no tag backs!" before running off.

I had to get everyone out of the open, but I figured it would be safe to start with my friends. But how...

An idea popped into my head. "Guys, I'm tired and I don't particularly feel like chasing around the lot of you. Can we play Hide N' Seek instead?"

My friends slipped out of their spots, their nooks and crannies. I heard some supporters and some against my radical theory. 

"Oh, so now we can quit?" Zach complained.

Nina replied, "Buzz off, I'm tired too."

Zach stuck his tongue out at her before muttering lowly under his breath, so quiet I almost couldn't hear it: "You weren't saying that when I was chasing you forever..."

I clapped my hands together. "So, Hide N' Seek?" Everyone stared at me, willing to stop playing tag but not quite wanting to play my game, either. I quickly added on, "I'll be seeker..." Everyone hates being seeker, since it can be annoying to find people. 

Their faces immediately brightened and they ran off to hide. 

"1...2...3...4..." Then I ran around, trying to get people in their homes. Reasons varied from, "I think your child needs a change of diaper," to "Someone stole the pie that was cooling on your windowsill!"