《The Rending》


 First Encounters

    Prologue:


    The chamber was vast, a shimmering dome of crystalline light suspended in the void of space. Around a circular table sat representatives of a hundred worlds, their forms as varied as the stars. Some were humanoid, others spectral or mechanical, their features defying the imagination of lesser beings. But all shared the same piercing gaze, fixed on the image hovering at the center of the room.


    Earth.


    It spun slowly in the projection, a blue and green marble suspended in the darkness, its surface teeming with life. Primitive life, by the standards of the council.


    ¡°We have debated long enough,¡± rumbled the towering figure at the head of the table. His voice was like grinding stone, echoing through the chamber. ¡°The time has come to vote.¡±


    Another councilor, a creature of shifting light and shadow, inclined their head. ¡°Earth¡¯s introduction into the system is long overdue. Its people are unprepared, yes¡ªbut they have potential. With guidance, they could become valuable members of the multiverse.¡±


    ¡°Or a liability,¡± hissed a serpentine figure, their golden scales catching the light. ¡°We cannot afford to coddle them. If they fail the trial, their resources will be put to better use.¡±


    Murmurs rippled through the assembly, a mix of agreement and dissent.


    A mechanical voice cut through the noise, sharp and unfeeling. ¡°The protocol is clear. Annexation requires a trial period. Earthlings must adapt to the system for one year. They must learn its rules, its power, and its consequences. At the end of that time, they will face their test. If they fail¡­¡±


    The projection shifted, showing Earth¡¯s surface in ruins, its cities crumbling into dust, its people shackled.


    ¡°If they fail,¡± the voice continued, ¡°their world will be stripped of its resources. The survivors will be integrated into the labor force of the multiverse.¡±


    ¡°And if they succeed?¡± asked the light-being.


    The projection changed again, this time showing a thriving Earth, its people mingling with alien races under shared banners of unity.


    ¡°If they succeed,¡± the mechanical figure said, ¡°Earth will join us as a full member of the council, its people free to travel the dimensions and share in the wealth of the multiverse.¡±


    The councilor at the head of the table rose, their stone-like features unreadable. ¡°Then it is decided. Earth will be given one cycle to adapt. If its people cannot rise to the challenge, they will fall.¡±


    With a gesture, the projection dissolved, replaced by a cascade of shimmering data¡ªcoordinates, timelines, protocols. A countdown appeared, glowing ominously in the air.


    One year.


    The council adjourned, leaving the chamber in silence. Outside, the stars burned cold and distant, indifferent to the fate of the tiny blue planet spinning in their midst.


    Chapter One: The Rending


    The hum came first¡ªa low vibration that seemed to rise from the bones of the house, rattling the picture frames and causing the overhead light to flicker. Tess froze, her pencil hovering above her notebook, and turned her head as if listening for confirmation. She wasn¡¯t imagining it. The sound deepened, reverberating through her chest, a dissonant echo of something both mechanical and organic. Her jaw tightened as the vibration crescendo increased into a high-pitched whine, like nails dragged across a chalkboard.


    The door burst open, slamming against the wall. Todd stumbled in, his face pale, his chest heaving. His usual easy grin was gone, replaced with wide-eyed panic.


    ¡°You have to see this,¡± he said, his voice hoarse. ¡°Something¡¯s happening.¡±


    Tess blinked, her heart lurching. ¡°What do you mean? What¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just come on!¡± Todd grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the window. His fingers were ice cold.


    Outside, the street looked like something out of a fever dream. Where there should have been rows of parked cars and well-kept brownstones, there was chaos. In the center of the asphalt, a shimmering distortion twisted the air, like heat waves on a desert road. But this wasn¡¯t ordinary heat. It pulsed with a light that shifted through shades of emerald, sapphire, and amethyst, the colors swirling as if alive. The distortion expanded, growing taller, wider, until it became a vortex¡ªa wound in the fabric of reality itself.


    ¡°Oh my God,¡± Tess whispered. Her throat felt tight, her body rooted to the floor.


    The first creature stepped through the tear.


    It was massive, a hulking brute with granite-colored skin and tusks that curled upward like scimitars. Its eyes darted wildly, and its entire body trembled with a raw, animal fear. Behind it, a group of slender figures emerged, their movements fluid, almost regal. Elves. Tess had no other word for them. Their faces were delicate, their eyes impossibly large, their clothes shimmering as though spun from starlight. Smaller creatures scurried at their feet¡ªgoblins with sharp features and glittering eyes, chittering like restless birds.


    Todd let out a sharp breath. ¡°Is this real?¡± he asked, his voice barely audible.


    The vortex surged again, disgorging more beings¡ªsome unrecognizable, others terrifyingly familiar. Tess¡¯s mind screamed at her to look away, to flee, but her body refused to obey. The ogre roared, the sound rattling windows and setting off car alarms. The elves flinched, their gazes darting toward the humans who had gathered on the sidewalk, frozen in various states of disbelief.


    ¡°Tess.¡± Todd¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°What do we do?¡±


    The air buzzed with energy, thick and suffocating. Tess tore her gaze from the portal and grabbed her brother¡¯s arm. ¡°We need to find Mom and Dad.¡±


    Dr. and Mrs. Adebayo were standing in the kitchen when Tess and Todd burst in, both panting. Their mother was clutching a wooden spoon, her other hand pressed to her chest. Their father was mid-sentence, holding a mug of coffee. They looked up, startled.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Tess? Todd? What¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a portal,¡± Tess blurted. ¡°Across the street. Creatures are coming through.¡±


    Their father frowned, setting his mug down carefully. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s real,¡± Todd insisted. ¡°You can hear it¡ªfeel it. The static. It¡¯s not just in the house.¡±


    Their mother¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Is this another one of your pranks?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a prank!¡± Tess grabbed her father¡¯s arm, her fingers digging into the fabric of his sleeve. ¡°Come look. Please.¡±


    The skepticism in their parents¡¯ eyes was familiar, a wall Tess had faced her entire life. But this time, the stakes were higher. She released her grip, stepping back to let them follow her to the front door.


    The portal¡¯s light spilled into the house like a kaleidoscope, painting the walls in shimmering hues. Dr. Adebayo froze in the doorway, his jaw tightening. Mrs. Adebayo pressed her hands together, whispering a prayer under her breath.


    ¡°What... is this?¡± their father murmured. He took a slow step forward, as if drawn by the light.


    The creatures were still pouring through¡ªan ever-shifting parade of myth made real. A wiry beast with wings of fire spiraled into the air, followed by a wolf-like creature that shimmered as it moved, its form dissolving and reforming like smoke. The goblins scurried, chittering in a language Tess couldn¡¯t comprehend. The elves appeared to be organizing the chaos, their calm at odds with the panic in the street.


    Mrs. Adebayo stepped back, clutching the doorframe. ¡°This cannot be real. It cannot.¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± Tess¡¯s voice was a whisper, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. ¡°And it¡¯s just beginning.¡±


    The neighbors were gathering now, their silhouettes flickering against the light spilling from the vortex. Tess could hear their voices rising in a chaotic medley of shock and panic. Someone screamed as the granite-skinned ogre moved toward a parked car, its lumbering gait sending tremors through the ground. The elves barked sharp commands, their melodic voices clashing with the guttural growls of the smaller creatures.


    Todd leaned toward Tess. ¡°Do they even know where they are?¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t look like they do,¡± she replied. Her eyes flicked toward the elves, noting how their postures grew more rigid as they scanned their surroundings. They weren¡¯t just confused¡ªthey were assessing, calculating.


    Their father spoke behind them, his tone clipped and urgent. ¡°Inside. Both of you. Now.¡±


    Tess turned, startled by the command in his voice. Dr. Adebayo¡¯s usually calm demeanor had fractured, replaced by the precision of a man trained to make decisions in high-stress situations. He glanced at his wife. ¡°Rani, get supplies. Water, food, anything portable.¡±


    Mrs. Adebayo didn¡¯t move. Her gaze remained locked on the portal, her lips forming silent prayers. Tess reached out, gently shaking her shoulder. ¡°Mom, we have to go.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Mrs. Adebayo blinked, her eyes glassy. ¡°This is not right. This is not our world.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not,¡± Tess said softly, ¡°but it¡¯s here now.¡±


    The words seemed to stir something in her mother. She gave a small nod, muttering another prayer before hurrying toward the pantry.


    A shout from the street made them all turn. A man¡ªtheir neighbor from two doors down¡ªwas yelling, his arms flailing as he tried to corral a group of goblins that had ventured too close to his yard. The creatures hissed and snapped at him, their wiry limbs twitching with nervous energy. One of them darted forward, snatching a garden rake from the man¡¯s hand with surprising speed.


    ¡°Dad!¡± Todd said, pointing.


    Dr. Adebayo didn¡¯t hesitate. He stepped outside, raising his hands in what Tess assumed was meant to be a calming gesture. ¡°Hey!¡± he called, his voice firm but not aggressive. ¡°Step back. Don¡¯t provoke them.¡±


    The goblins froze, their sharp eyes snapping toward him. For a moment, the air was thick with tension, the only sound the relentless hum of the portal.


    Then the tallest elf moved, striding forward with an elegance that seemed almost alien. He¡ªor she, Tess couldn¡¯t tell¡ªraised a hand, and the goblins scattered like leaves in a gust of wind. The elf turned its gaze on Dr. Adebayo, tilting its head in a gesture that felt... curious.


    ¡°Dad, get back here,¡± Tess hissed.


    Her father didn¡¯t move. He stood his ground, his expression unreadable as the elf stepped closer. Its eyes were unsettlingly bright, a piercing gold that seemed to see through him. The two of them stood like that for what felt like an eternity, the portal¡¯s light casting strange shadows across their faces.


    Finally, the elf spoke.


    Its voice was a melody and a storm, each word layered with a resonance that vibrated in Tess¡¯s chest. She couldn¡¯t understand the language, but the meaning seemed to imprint itself directly onto her mind: ¡°We mean no harm... yet.¡±


    Dr. Adebayo¡¯s breath hitched. He nodded slowly, his lips pressing into a thin line. ¡°Noted,¡± he said, his voice tight.


    The elf tilted its head again, then turned and barked a command at the goblins, who reluctantly retreated toward the portal. The ogre, which had been pawing at a mailbox, rumbled a low growl but followed.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Todd whispered as their father hurried back toward the house.


    ¡°Something I never want to encounter again,¡± Dr. Adebayo muttered, ushering them inside.


    The kitchen was a flurry of activity as they gathered what they could: bottles of water, a flashlight, a first-aid kit. Their mother packed bags with trembling hands, her lips still moving in prayer.


    ¡°What did it say to you?¡± Tess asked her father.


    He paused, his jaw working as if trying to find the right words. ¡°It said they mean no harm. For now.¡±


    ¡°For now?¡± Todd echoed, his voice rising. ¡°That¡¯s supposed to make us feel better?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to debate this,¡± Dr. Adebayo snapped. ¡°We need to focus on preparing for whatever comes next.¡±


    ¡°And what is that, exactly?¡± Tess demanded. ¡°Are they staying here? Leaving? Are more coming?¡±


    Her father¡¯s silence was answer enough.


    As the night deepened, the neighborhood fell into an uneasy stillness. The creatures lingered near the portal, their movements cautious and deliberate. Occasionally, a flicker of light would ripple through the vortex, as if threatening to disgorge more beings.


    Tess sat by the window, her chin resting on her knees, watching the scene unfold. The elves seemed to be organizing the other creatures, directing them into small groups. It was strangely... methodical.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯re stranded?¡± Todd asked from his perch on the couch.


    Tess shrugged. ¡°Maybe. Or maybe they¡¯re scouts.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    She didn¡¯t answer. She wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to.


    Their father¡¯s voice interrupted her thoughts. ¡°Lights out. Everyone upstairs.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No arguments,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Whatever happens, we stay together.¡±


    Reluctantly, Tess and Todd obeyed, retreating to their shared bedroom. Tess lay awake long after the house had gone quiet, the hum of the portal still thrumming in her bones. Her mind raced with unanswered questions: Who were these beings? What did they want? And why now?


    The last thing she saw before sleep claimed her was the portal¡¯s kaleidoscope glow, spilling across the street like a silent promise.


    Later That Night


    The house was quiet now, the children upstairs in their room. But neither Rani nor Emeka could sleep.


    Rani sat at the edge of their bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She murmured prayers under her breath, her voice trembling as she recited the familiar words. Beside her, Emeka leaned forward in the armchair by the window, his elbows on his knees, staring out at the street.


    The portal was still there. Its kaleidoscope light bled through the curtains, casting strange shadows on the walls.


    ¡°This cannot be real,¡± Rani said, breaking the silence. She looked at her husband, her eyes wide and glassy. ¡°Emeka, what are we supposed to do? What can we do?¡±


    Emeka didn¡¯t answer immediately. He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted. ¡°But we have to stay calm¡ªfor the children.¡±


    ¡°Stay calm?¡± Rani¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°Creatures from... from another world are walking our streets. They spoke to you, Emeka. That... that thing spoke to you.¡±


    Emeka¡¯s gaze dropped to his hands. He could still hear the elf¡¯s voice, feel the weight of its piercing gold eyes. We mean no harm... yet. The words had looped in his mind ever since.


    ¡°What if they¡¯re lying?¡± Rani continued, her hands twisting together. ¡°What if they¡¯re here to destroy us? Or enslave us?¡±


    ¡°They could have done that already,¡± Emeka said quietly. ¡°If they wanted us gone, we wouldn¡¯t be sitting here.¡±


    Rani shook her head, standing abruptly and pacing the room. ¡°And what about Oluwatisi and Toluwalase? How do we protect them from this? What kind of future can they have now?¡±


    Emeka stood and crossed the room, resting his hands gently on her shoulders. ¡°We don¡¯t have answers yet. But we¡¯ll face this together. One step at a time.¡±


    Tears welled in Rani¡¯s eyes, but she nodded. Slowly, she sank to her knees, pulling Emeka down beside her. Together, they prayed¡ªwhispered words in Yoruba, seeking comfort, guidance, and strength in the face of the impossible.


    Outside, the portal pulsed steadily, a silent reminder that their world had changed forever.

 Chapter Two: The Next Day

    Across the globe, portals pulsed with their eerie kaleidoscopic light, crackling with an energy that defied understanding. Their arrival was sudden and unrelenting, each rip in the fabric of reality a wound glowing with shifting hues of emerald, sapphire, and amethyst. For the first few hours, humanity did what it always did in the face of the inexplicable: it recorded.


    Smartphones captured the impossible. Grainy footage showed creatures stepping onto sidewalks and city streets, their forms alien yet strangely tangible. The recordings flickered with glitches, electromagnetic interference distorting sound and image as if reality itself were struggling to adjust. Social media exploded with hashtags¡ª#PortalWatch, #AlienInvasion, #TheRending¡ªas millions of stunned viewers watched the impossible unfold.


    News anchors stammered through hastily written scripts, their carefully composed professionalism crumbling as reports poured in from around the world. ¡°We¡­ we don¡¯t have confirmation yet,¡± one anchor said, her voice trembling. ¡°But initial reports indicate that these¡­ phenomena are appearing in major cities globally.¡± The broadcast cut to shaky footage of a portal in New York City, the camera zooming in on a towering figure with glistening obsidian skin and glowing eyes.


    By dawn, the scale of the phenomenon was undeniable. Portals had opened in cities, forests, and oceans, their locations seemingly random. Some discharged beings that appeared harmless¡ªwide-eyed creatures that stumbled as if disoriented, their strange, glowing appendages trembling as they surveyed their surroundings. Others brought chaos.


    In S?o Paulo, a portal disgorged a swarm of reptilian creatures, each the size of a large dog, their scales shimmering like oil slicks. They tore through a crowded marketplace, overturning stalls and scattering terrified vendors. The footage captured their razor-sharp teeth glinting as they lunged at anything in their path.


    In Tokyo, shimmering beings of light floated serenely above the city streets. Their forms pulsed like jellyfish, trailing streams of luminescence that cast an ethereal glow on the astonished crowd below. Some onlookers took cautious steps forward, their phones held high to record. Others stood frozen, their faces reflecting equal parts wonder and fear.


    And in Nairobi, a portal unleashed a towering ogre with skin like rough-hewn stone. Its guttural roar shattered windows and sent vehicles skidding off the road as it lumbered through the city. By the time it disappeared back through the portal, it had left a block in ruins¡ªstorefronts crushed, cars flattened, and streets littered with debris.


    Electricity surged back to life across the globe just before sunrise, jolting governments and civilians alike into action. The sudden return of power brought clarity¡ªand chaos. Emergency broadcasts blared from every screen, cutting through the haze of sleepless hours with sharp, urgent commands.


    ¡°NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED.¡± The bold red letters scrolled across the bottom of every news channel, accompanied by a grim-faced announcer. ¡°MARTIAL LAW ENACTED. Civilians are advised to remain indoors. Avoid all contact with the portals and any beings that emerge from them. Security forces have been authorized to use any means necessary to ensure public safety.¡±


    Military vehicles rolled through city streets, their engines rumbling ominously in the predawn stillness. Soldiers in full tactical gear patrolled the roads, their faces obscured by helmets and visors. They shouted orders through megaphones, their voices sharp and mechanical.


    ¡°Return to your homes immediately! This area is under lockdown.¡±


    In some neighborhoods, the presence of armed forces brought a sense of uneasy relief. In others, it stoked fear and anger. Crowds that had gathered near the portals were forcefully dispersed, their protests drowned out by the roar of engines and the crackle of loudspeakers.


    A video circulated online showed a group of soldiers firing warning shots into the air as civilians edged too close to a portal in Berlin. The crowd scattered, their shouts of fear echoing through the narrow streets. Another clip, this one from Los Angeles, showed a group of civilians shouting at soldiers: ¡°We have a right to know what¡¯s happening!¡±


    Meanwhile, scientists and officials scrambled to make sense of the phenomenon. Huddled in labs and war rooms, they poured over data, analyzing the energy signatures emitted by the portals and the creatures that emerged from them. But the answers were slow to come, and the questions multiplied: Why here? Why now? Were these beings invaders or refugees?


    The world teetered on the edge of panic. Social media became a battleground of misinformation and speculation. Some claimed the portals were evidence of divine intervention, while others insisted they were the result of secret government experiments gone wrong. Conspiracy theories flourished, blending paranoia with fragments of truth.


    And through it all, the portals continued to pulse, their eerie light a constant reminder of the fragile line between order and chaos.


    <hr>


    In the Adebayo household, the hum of the television filled the dining room as the family gathered for breakfast. Tess and Todd sat across from each other at the table, their plates barely touched. Rani stood by the stove, plating scrambled eggs, her usual morning efficiency replaced with distracted, uneven movements. Her robe hung askew, and her satin cap was still in place, her hair untouched. Normally, she would have fussed about appearances, even within the house. Now, her disheveled state spoke volumes.


    On the screen, a polished news anchor struggled to maintain composure.


    ¡°This morning, in an unprecedented act, nations across the globe have declared martial law. In the United States, the President has tasked the National Guard with maintaining order in cities affected by portal activity. All civilians are advised to remain indoors. Do not approach the portals or engage with the beings emerging from them.¡±


    The report cut to footage of an armored convoy rolling through a desolate street, soldiers with rifles scanning their surroundings. In the background, the glow of a portal shimmered ominously.


    Tess stared at her plate, pushing scrambled eggs around with her fork. Todd drummed his fingers on the table, his usual energy stifled by the weight of the news.


    Rani set a plate of eggs in front of Emeka, who sat at the head of the table. He offered her a faint nod, but his eyes remained fixed on the television.


    The anchor¡¯s voice continued, now tinged with urgency. ¡°While some portals have remained dormant, others have unleashed significant threats. Officials report that in Johannesburg, a group of reptilian creatures attacked civilians near a marketplace, leaving dozens injured. In Berlin, a portal briefly discharged a massive winged beast that caused significant property damage before disappearing back into the vortex. The global situation remains fluid, with authorities urging caution¡ª¡±


    Rani turned away from the screen, muttering a prayer under her breath. Her hands trembled as she adjusted the robe slipping from her shoulder.


    No one spoke as they ate. The sound of utensils scraping plates and the droning news filling the silence. They moved robotically, each motion driven more by habit than hunger.


    Finally, Todd broke the silence, his voice cutting through the monotony. ¡°So... what do we do?¡±


    Emeka looked up from his plate, his brow furrowing. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I mean us,¡± Todd said, gesturing around the table. ¡°Do we just sit here? Pretend this isn¡¯t happening?¡±


    ¡°Todd,¡± Tess said quietly, warning in her tone.


    ¡°No, really,¡± Todd pressed. ¡°We can¡¯t just stay locked up while the world¡¯s falling apart. We saw what came through that portal. What if they start attacking people here?¡±


    ¡°Tolu,¡± Rani said sharply, using his full name, Toluwalase, for emphasis.


    Emeka set his fork down with deliberate precision. He looked at his son, his expression unreadable. ¡°We do nothing.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Todd said, incredulous.


    ¡°We do nothing,¡± Emeka repeated, his voice steady but firm. ¡°We stay inside. We stay safe.¡±


    He rose from the table, picking up his plate and carrying it to the sink. He rinsed it quickly, placed it in the dishwasher, and turned to leave the room.


    ¡°Baba?¡± Rani called softly, worry etched into her features.


    Emeka paused in the doorway, his shoulders tense. ¡°We don¡¯t know what this is. We don¡¯t know what¡¯s coming next. But we won¡¯t help anyone by running into chaos.¡±


    With that, he disappeared into his office, closing the door behind him.


    Rani stood frozen for a moment, then sat heavily in the chair Emeka had just vacated. Her hands rested limply in her lap, her eyes clouded with worry.


    The silence stretched, broken only by the low hum of the television. Tess reached for her phone, desperate for a distraction. The brightness of the screen momentarily stung her eyes as she opened the TikTok app.


    The video feed was a chaotic mix of clips: shaky footage of portals, conspiracy theories narrated over dramatic music, and grainy recordings of creatures stepping into unfamiliar landscapes. Each video bled into the next, the noise creating a strange, hollow rhythm that filled the room.


    One video caught her attention¡ªa live feed from a portal in Cairo. The person filming stood at a distance, zooming in on the figures stepping through the vortex. A group of slender, humanoid beings emerged, their skin shimmering like molten silver. They moved cautiously, their heads swiveling as they scanned the streets.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    The camera panned slightly, revealing a crowd of onlookers gathered just beyond the police barricade. Some shouted angrily; others stood frozen, their faces pale with fear.


    The video cut off suddenly, replaced by another clip: a portal in Moscow, where towering figures covered in armor like blackened steel marched methodically through the snow. The sound of boots crunching against ice was overlaid with a panicked voice narrating in Russian.


    ¡°Tess,¡± Todd said, leaning over her shoulder. ¡°You really think those things are just... exploring?¡±


    Tess didn¡¯t answer. She scrolled to the next video, the familiar unease coiling tighter in her stomach. The noise from the TikTok feed created a strange white noise that blended with the hum of the television.


    The news anchor droned on in the background, their voice listing the places where portals had opened and the government response: Martial law declared. Civilians advised to stay indoors. Security forces mobilized to maintain order and contain threats.


    Rani, having watched the videos alongside them, set down her plate and left the room quietly. She glanced toward Emeka¡¯s office, worry etched into her features.


    ¡°This is insane,¡± Todd muttered, breaking the heavy silence. ¡°Nobody knows what¡¯s happening. The news is a mess, and half of this could be fake for all we know.¡±


    Tess looked up, her brow furrowed. ¡°It¡¯s not fake, Todd. You saw it last night. We saw it.¡±


    Her voice wavered as she spoke, and she clenched her fists to steady herself. She couldn¡¯t stop replaying the scene in her mind: the portal, the creatures, the elf¡¯s words. We mean no harm... yet.


    ¡°Dad is in denial,¡± Todd said, his tone biting.


    ¡°He¡¯s scared,¡± Tess replied quietly. ¡°Like everyone else.¡±


    Todd broke the silence again. ¡°We can¡¯t just sit here.¡±


    Tess glanced up from her phone. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I mean, we need to figure out what¡¯s going on,¡± Todd said, his voice rising. ¡°We saw it up close. What if people out there need help?¡±


    Her stomach twisted. ¡°Todd, this isn¡¯t some game. You saw what came through that portal. We can¡¯t just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then what do we do, Tess?¡± Todd cut her off. ¡°Sit here forever while everything falls apart?¡±


    Tess didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she opened another video, the bold text beneath it reading: Live Footage ¨C Johannesburg.


    The feed was jittery, the person filming clearly in motion. Their heavy breathing crackled through the audio, almost drowning out the sounds of panicked voices in the background.


    The camera swung wildly, settling on a portal that loomed over a crowded street. Beings poured out¡ªsome tall and serpentine, their forms glistening with translucent scales; others resembled armored predators, their movements sharp and deliberate. People scattered, shouting in a mix of languages as the creatures surveyed their surroundings.


    ¡°Oh my God,¡± Todd whispered, leaning closer.


    The camera zoomed in shakily, catching a glimpse of one of the creatures¡ªa massive, insect-like beast with jagged mandibles and spiked legs. Its body shimmered as if wrapped in a faint, otherworldly glow.


    The person filming let out a gasp. The creature¡¯s head turned sharply, its glowing eyes locking onto the camera.


    ¡°Run,¡± Tess whispered under her breath, as if the person could hear her.


    The camera jerked downward, capturing the frantic pounding of shoes against the pavement. Shouts and screams filled the audio as the person sprinted, their breaths coming in ragged bursts.


    The frame shifted again, showing the ground¡ªconcrete and shattered glass¡ªbefore the phone was scooped back up.


    Then, a shadow fell across the screen.


    A massive clawed foot descended, filling the frame before the phone dropped one last time. The lens settled askew, capturing a final, haunting image: the person running in the distance, their figure growing smaller as the creature¡¯s heavy steps shook the ground. The screen flickered, then went black.


    Tess set her phone down, her hands trembling.


    ¡°Holy¡ª¡± Todd started, but Tess cut him off.


    ¡°They¡¯re not all friendly,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Todd rubbed the back of his neck, pacing the room. ¡°What¡¯s the government even doing about this? What are we supposed to do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone has answers yet,¡± Tess said, staring blankly at the table.


    The kitchen was quiet again, the hum of the portal outside faintly audible through the walls. Tess slumped forward at the table, resting her head on her arms. The world felt unbearably heavy, and her sleepless night only added to the weight pressing down on her.


    Todd, seated across from her, scrolled through his phone with jerky, frustrated swipes. His usual calm energy was replaced by an agitated stillness, the occasional clinking of his water bottle the only indication that he hadn¡¯t turned into a statue.


    Tess groaned softly and closed her eyes. She needed sleep¡ªor, at the very least, an escape from the images that kept replaying in her head: the creature¡¯s glowing eyes, the chaos in the streets, the haunting sounds of panic from the videos she¡¯d seen.


    For a brief moment, she let herself imagine waking up in a world where none of this had happened. A world where she was still planning her first semester at Columbia, and Todd was texting friends about some new party. Instead, her phone was filled with news alerts, and Todd¡¯s was disturbingly silent¡ªa testament to how the portals had upended everything..


    The faint squeak of hinges jolted her from her daze. Her head snapped up, and she hurried to the front door.


    Todd stood there, dressed in his fall coat and combat boots, a bulging backpack slung over one shoulder.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tess demanded.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay inside,¡± Todd said, his hand on the doorknob. ¡°It¡¯s like the walls are closing in on me.¡±


    She crossed her arms. ¡°So your brilliant plan is to leave?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check on Old Man Johnson,¡± Todd said. ¡°He probably can¡¯t make it to the shelter tonight with the subways down. Figured I¡¯d bring him some water and snacks.¡±


    Tess frowned. She dashed back to the kitchen, pulled up the MTA app on her phone, and confirmed Todd¡¯s claim: the subway system was indeed offline. Returning to the front door, she found Todd still fiddling with his phone.


    ¡°That¡¯s not safe,¡± she said, as she watched him head towards the door.


    Todd shrugged, heading toward the door. ¡°Better than sitting around doing nothing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m coming with you,¡± Tess said.


    He turned, surprised. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not safe out there by yourself,¡± she interrupted, already jogging up the stairs to grab her coat.


    By the time she returned, dressed in her fall jacket, scarf, and favorite pair of converse, Todd was texting someone¡ªprobably Mr. Johnson¡ªto confirm his location. She tugged on her scarf and adjusted the pepper spray tucked into her pocket.


    ¡°Ready?¡± she asked.


    Todd gave her a lopsided grin, his first real expression all day. ¡°Always.¡±


    The streets of Brooklyn Heights were eerily still. Their usual vibrancy had been muted, the only movement coming from occasional passing cars or the slow shuffle of a neighbor walking their dog. As they approached the subway station, the faint hum of the portal loomed in the background, ever-present.


    The convenience store near the station came into view, its neon sign flickering weakly. Todd pushed the door open, the bell jangling softly. Inside, the fluorescent lights hummed, casting the cluttered aisles in a pale glow.


    ¡°Mr. Johnson?¡± Todd called out.


    ¡°Over here!¡± came the familiar rasp of Old Man


    Johnson¡¯s voice.


    They found him behind the counter, sipping coffee from a styrofoam cup. His grizzled salt and pepper face lit up at the sight of them.


    ¡°Well, ain¡¯t this a surprise,¡± he said. ¡°What brings you two out in this mess?¡±


    ¡°We were worried about you,¡± Tess said, placing the snacks and water bottles on the counter. ¡°Figured you couldn¡¯t make it to the shelter.¡±


    Mr. Johnson chuckled, gesturing around the store. ¡°The owner¡¯s been kind enough to let me stay here if I keep an eye on the place. Beats the shelter anyway.¡±


    Todd eyed the cluttered shelves. ¡°We brought these for you.¡±


    ¡°Nah,¡± Johnson said, waving them off. He reached under the counter and pulled out a backpack. ¡°You two take these instead.¡±


    Before they could argue, he began stuffing the bag with bottled water, granola bars, and cans of soup.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna need this more than me,¡± he said. ¡°World¡¯s gone crazy, and I got a feeling it¡¯s gonna get worse before it gets better.¡±


    Tess hesitated but eventually nodded, accepting the bag. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    As they talked, the subject shifted to the portals.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s aliens?¡± Todd asked, leaning against the counter.


    Johnson¡¯s eyes twinkled with a mix of mischief and sincerity. ¡°Been saying it for years, haven¡¯t I? We send out signals, beam our messages into space, and now someone¡¯s answering. Just wish they¡¯d called first.¡±


    They all laughed, though the sound was tinged with nervousness.


    ¡°Take care of yourselves, kids,¡± Johnson said as they left. ¡°And watch your backs. Not everyone out there¡¯s gonna be as friendly as me.¡±


    <hr>


    The sun was beginning to set as Tess and Todd made their way back. The streets, now bathed in warm amber light, seemed more unsettling in their emptiness.


    As they neared their house, the faint hum of the portal grew louder, accompanied by the murmur of voices. They turned a corner and stopped in their tracks.


    A crowd had gathered near the portal¡ªneighbors, curious onlookers, and a handful of military personnel. Tess¡¯s chest tightened at the sight of the soldiers, their rifles slung over their shoulders.


    ¡°This is a bad idea,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Probably,¡± Todd admitted, but he didn¡¯t stop moving forward.


    They kept their distance, observing from behind a parked car. The air felt heavy, charged with static. The portal shimmered, its colors shifting hypnotically.


    In the center of the crowd stood a man in a dark suit, flanked by two soldiers. He held a sleek metallic device in his hand, a faint blue glow emanating from its surface.


    ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± Todd whispered.


    Tess didn¡¯t answer, her eyes fixed on the man as he raised the device toward the portal.


    The vortex pulsed, a ripple of energy spreading outward. The man staggered back, clutching the device as it emitted a shrill whine.


    ¡°Fall back!¡± one of the soldiers shouted, but it was too late.


    The portal surged again, and something emerged¡ªa fluid, translucent creature that shimmered with internal light. It moved with unsettling grace, letting out a resonant hum. The soldiers opened fire.


    ¡°Todd, we need to go,¡± Tess hissed, grabbing his arm.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now!¡±


    They sprinted toward their house as chaos erupted behind them. The creature retaliated, releasing a burst of energy that sent the soldiers sprawling. The man in the suit barked orders into his radio, his voice lost in the din.


    Inside, Tess slammed the door shut, leaning against it as her heart raced.


    ¡°What was that thing?¡± Todd asked, his face pale.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Tess said, her voice trembling. ¡°But whatever it is...we¡¯re not ready for it.¡±