After such a chaotic day, Misty couldn't focus on her studies. Her mind swirled with questions about the strange events unfolding across the city. For the first time ever, textbooks felt meaningless.
She finally sat at her desk, trying to study when her father arrived home. It was already evening. Misty smiled, relieved as she wanted to talk about her worries. Everyone calls her father Mr. Singhania as his name was Rajendra Singhania.
People who met Mr. Singhania were always taken aback by his warmth. Somehow, strangers opened up to him like old friends reunited after years. He was thoughtful, calm, and always made time for his family, ending each workday with laughter and a warm cup of tea.
But today felt different.
Instead of joining his family, he rushed upstairs, urgently shouting, "Misty, close all the doors and windows—now!"
Startled, Misty asked, "Dad… what's going on?"
But he didn't answer. His face was pale, his movements frantic.
Alarm bells rang in Misty's head. She could see the fear etched in her father's expression. Without another word, she dashed upstairs and did exactly what he asked, "lock the doors and shut down every window."
The commotion brought Misty's mother and May out of their rooms.
"What's happening?" her mother asked, visibly tense. "Why all this noise?"
May looked equally concerned. "Dad, why do you look so… scared?"
Mr. Singhania was trembling. Sweat rolled down his forehead, and his hands shook. Misty's mother quickly helped him into a chair and handed him a glass of water.
"Dad, please," Misty said gently. "Talk to us. What happened?"
After a few heavy breaths, he finally spoke. "They're coming... They're going to separate every child from their parents."
Silence fell over the room.
Suddenly, Mr. Singhania leapt from his seat and rushed outside. Misty followed as he called out to the neighbors, urgently gathering them near the house.
"I saw it," he shouted. "A beam of light... coming from the sky. It took children... just snatched them away! We have to protect our kids!"
For a moment, no one spoke. Shock clung to the air.
"Is this real?"
"How could that even be possible?"
Even though Mr. Singhania was a respected man, the claim was too unbelievable for many. But then, a silver-haired old man stepped forward from the crowd.
"I understand it's hard to accept," he said quietly, "but in times like these, we must remain alert. We must protect our children, no matter what."
The crowd eventually dispersed, shaken and silent. But the old man lingered.
He turned to Misty with a strange look in his eyes and said calmly, "Watch over yourself… and your sister."
Her skin prickled. Something about his voice unnerved her, but she just nodded, then shut the door behind her.
Back inside, tension gripped the household like a vice.
Misty's mother sat silently, clutching her forehead. "Now what are we supposed to do?"
Mr. Singhania didn't reply. He stared into nothingness.
Misty took May by the hand and led her to her room. Her sister's body was trembling.
"I'm scared, sis," May whispered. "Are those people… are they really going to take us away from Mom and Dad?"
Misty didn't know how to answer. Words failed her. All she could do was sit beside May and listen to the sound of thunder rolling through the sky.