Obinai's breath catches in his throat as he stares at the towering figures, their pale, smooth skin gleaming like polished stone under the flickering, dying lights of the city.
Another thunderous impact shakes the building. The vibrations crawl up through the floor, nearly knocking Obinai off his feet. The glass in the windows cracks and splinters under the force, spreading like frost on a winter pane.
"Come, now!" Amos's voice cuts through the din with an authority that makes Obinai flinch. Amos grabs his arm, pulling him away from the window for the second time with more force. "We can't stay here!"
The family retreats from the living room, hurrying toward the central hallway of the apartment. Maria clutches Mya tightly, stroking her hair in an attempt to calm the trembling child. "It's okay, sweetheart. It's okay," she whispers, though her own voice shakes with uncertainty.
Amos stands at the edge of the hallway, his back to the wall, peering toward the front of the apartment. His sharp eyes dart between the door and the walls as though expecting them to collapse at any moment. "Stay quiet," he says in a low voice, his head tilting slightly as he listens to the faint but unmistakable sounds of destruction outside.
Obinai leans heavily against the wall, his chest heaving. His mind spins, replaying the whispers, the tremors, and the impossible sight of the creatures. What does it mean? Why do I feel like… weird?
A low, ominous rumble reverberates through the building, causing them all to freeze. Dust shakes loose from the ceiling, sprinkling down like ash.
Amos paces like a caged animal, his steps erratic and heavy. His hands grip on the sides of his bald head, then slap against the sides. Suddenly, he hits himself in the forehead with a sharp smack, making Obinai and the others flinch.
"Stupid!" he growls. "I should have known—damn it! I knew! I knew! But it shouldn't—no, it can't make sense." His voice rises into a frenzied mutter. "If it is—if it really is the Reckoning—oh no. Oh no, no, no. Then I have to do that." His hands grip the sides of his head, his fingers digging into his scalp.
He freezes mid-step, his breath hitching. "I can't," he whispers, shaking his head violently. "Structurally, no known organism should be able to exhibit such size and mobility without collapsing under its own weight. The square-cube law—" He stumbles over the words, his fists clenching in frustration. "It shouldn't work! None of this should work!"
Maria, crouched in the corner with Mya trembling in her arms, throws him a sharp glare. Her voice cuts through the tense air like a whip. "Amos, now is not the time for your theories!" she snaps, though the tremble in her tone betrays her own rising panic. "We're not in a lecture hall—we're about to die, for God's sake!"
Amos doesn't seem to hear her. "These creatures… their scale, their movements—it's all wrong. Bioluminescent properties—why? For communication? Intimidation? How do they sustain their mass? Energy systems? Their biology—" He smacks his forehead again, harder this time, his voice strained and cracking. "We don't understand! It doesn't fit. Nothing fits!"
"Dad!" Obinai's voice cuts through Amos's frantic muttering. He's standing rigid, fists clenched. "Focus!" he yells, his words echoing off the walls. "We're about to die here! Snap the hell out of it!"
Amos flinches as though struck. Before he can respond, a deafening explosion rips through the air, louder and closer than before. The entire apartment lurches violently, the floor beneath them groaning in protest. Picture frames rattle on the walls before crashing to the floor, shards of glass scattering across the hallway.
The sheer force of the blast silences them all, their breaths held in collective fear. Amos snaps out of his reverie, spinning to face his family with wide, urgent eyes. "We need to move, now!" he exclaims, his voice cracking with urgency.
He strides toward Obinai, gripping his shoulders tightly. His hands shake, but his grip is firm, almost bruising. "Obinai, listen to me," he says, his voice sharp and commanding. "You're taking Mya down the fire escape. Get as far as you can, as fast as you can. Do you understand?"
Obinai's eyes widen, his heart pounding in his chest. "What? Why just us? Why can't we all go together?"
Maria, her face pale but fierce, steps forward, her voice trembling but firm. "Amos, he's right! We stay together!"
Amos shakes his head sharply, his frustration and fear breaking through. His voice rises, cutting through the tension like a blade. "We can't!" Another rumble shakes the building violently, forcing him to grab the wall for balance. The sound of breaking glass echoes through the hallway as more debris crashes to the floor. "It has to be them!" he says, his words spilling out, raw and urgent.
Maria's eyes widen, her face twisting into a mix of confusion and disbelief. "What are you talking about?" she demands, her voice cracking. " Why them? Amos, this doesn't make sense!"
Amos's jaw tightens, his fists clenched at his sides as he avoids her gaze. For a moment, he doesn't respond, his face shadowed with a conflict he can't put into words. Finally, he forces the words out, his voice quieter now but strained. "Just trust me."
Maria stares at him, her breathing shallow. "Trust you?" she whispers, her voice breaking. Tears begin to well in her eyes, the reality of the moment sinking in like a weight she can't lift. "How can I trust you when you're sending them out there?"
"Maria—" Amos starts, but his voice falters.
Her words tumble out, sharp and desperate, each syllable laced with anguish. "You said you'd keep us safe! You promised!" Her voice cracks, tears brimming in her eyes. "And now—now you're telling me they have to go alone? Tell me why, Amos! Tell me why!"
Amos flinches. His shoulders slump and his hands balling into trembling fists at his sides. He forces himself to meet her gaze, his own eyes glassy and unfocused, barely holding back the flood threatening to break free. His breath hitches, and he swallows hard before speaking.
"If I tell you it won't happen," he starts, voice frayed and uneven. His lips quiver, and he presses them tightly together. "If I tell you the course of what is will change…" His voice falters, a tear sliding down his cheek, unnoticed. He closes his eyes briefly.
"But I—I can't." His hand instinctively rises to his face, swiping at the tear. "I wish to the gods that I could." His voice trembles, barely more than a whisper now. "You don't know how desperately I wish I could… but I can't."
Maria shakes her head, tears spilling freely now. Her hands tremble as she grips Mya's shoulders, as though holding onto her daughter will somehow keep her here, keep her safe. "I can't," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "I can't let them go."
Amos turns away, his hand covering his face as his composure finally cracks. "You think I want this?" he snaps, his voice muffled but choked with emotion. "You think I can live with this?" His shoulders heave as a sob escapes him, and he quickly wipes at his eyes. "But we don't have a choice, Maria. Not anymore."
Obinai watches as the weight of his parents' desperation sinks in. Maria turns her tear-streaked face to him, her gaze searching his, her eyes filled with a mother's pain and an unspoken plea. Time seems to freeze as she stares at him, her tears falling silently.
Obinai shifts uncomfortably under her intense gaze, swallowing hard. He doesn't know what she's looking for, but somehow, he feels like he has to give it. He takes a shaky breath, his voice quieter than he expected when he says, "Mom… I can do this."
His words hang in the air, trembling like a fragile thread.
Maria's lips quiver, and her tears flow more freely now. She nods slowly, her hands gripping Mya's shoulders so tightly that the girl winces. "Take care of her," she says softly, her voice breaking completely.
"I will," Obinai promises, though his voice cracks, and his throat feels like it's closing.
Amos turns sharply to the window, his face etched with resolve, though his eyes glisten with unshed tears. "Move. Now," he says, his voice carrying the finality of someone who knows this moment will haunt him forever.
As he steps toward the window, his back to the family, a single tear escapes and slides down his cheek. He doesn't wipe it away. Maria, unable to contain her anguish any longer, pulls Mya into a tight embrace, her quiet sobs muffled against her daughter's hair.
Obinai clenches his fists at his sides, his own vision blurring with tears he refuses to let fall. He takes Mya's hand, gripping it tightly, and looks back at his parents. They don't meet his gaze.
"Let's go," Obinai whispers, his voice trembling but firm, as he grips Mya's hand and leads her toward the window. Behind them, Maria's quiet sobs and Amos's ragged breaths echo in the hallway.
The sound of distant crashes and panicked screams fills the air as Obinai pushes the window open. The cool night air rushes in, carrying with it the acrid scent of smoke and destruction. It stings their faces, a sharp contrast to the suffocating tension inside the apartment.
...after he guides Mya out he shakily closes the window...
...
Maria's sobs rip through the air as she stumbles toward Amos. Her hands tremble, but she grips his shirt with surprising strength, shaking him violently.
"Damnit, Amos!" Maria's voice cracks, her scream jagged like it's been ripped straight from her soul. "What's going on? How could you do this? It's our job—our job—to protect our kids! It's what we signed up for! Do you even care anymore?"
Her voice reverberates through the room. Amos stands motionless, his broad shoulders hunched forward. His hands twitch at his sides, but he doesn't lift his gaze. The dim overhead light cuts harsh shadows across his face, but his eyes remain hidden, fixed on the floor like it might swallow him whole.
Maria's breath shudders, and she grabs his shirt with both hands, yanking him closer, but her grip falters. Her fingers slip, trembling as her own sobs betray her anger. She swipes at her face in frustration, dragging tears across flushed cheeks, and stumbles back a step. Her movements are wild now, desperate, like a trapped animal searching for a way out.
"To hell with this," she growls, her voice breaking. Her eyes dart to the window, and she takes a shaky breath, chest heaving. "Anywhere is safer than here—as long as my kids are with me."
Her movements grow frantic, her feet pounding the hardwood floor as she bolts for the window. The sound of her footsteps barely registers before Amos lunges after her. His hands catch her waist, dragging her down, and they crash onto the floor together. The impact sends a hollow thud echoing through the room.
Maria screams, a guttural, animalistic sound, as she thrashes beneath him. Her nails rake at his forearms, leaving angry red welts, and she twists violently, trying to break free. Her fist swings up, catching him across the cheek with a sickening crack. Amos grunts, the force snapping his head to the side. Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth, but he doesn't stop.
"Maria!" His voice is hoarse, shaking. "Stop—please, stop!"
She swings again, harder this time, and her knuckles collide with his jaw. His breath hitches, but he catches her wrist mid-swing, holding her arm in place with trembling hands.
"I'm sorry!" he cries. "I'm so sorry, Maria. I didn't know—" He breaks off, his grip on her wrist faltering. "I didn't know this could happen."
Maria's struggles weaken, her movements slowing. Her fists tremble against his chest before they collapse entirely, her hands fisting his shirt in quiet surrender. She buries her face against him, her tears soaking through the fabric. Her voice, muffled and broken, shakes as she speaks.
"Why?" she whispers. "Why are you like this? Why do you always have to be like this?" She grips his shirt tighter. "Why did I marry a man with so many damn secrets? What have you done, Amos?"
Amos doesn't respond right away. His chest rises and falls unevenly, his breath hitching. Silent tears streak his face as his head lowers, and his grip on her wrist falls away.
"I—I don't know," he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, honey. I wish I could tell you."
His hands come up, trembling, hovering as though he wants to comfort her but doesn't know how. Finally, he grips her shoulders lightly, his fingers digging in just enough. "But if any of them—if any of our kids—have a chance, this is the only way. I swear to the gods, Maria, I didn't want this. I didn't. But it's all I have left to give them."
Maria stiffens, her sobs quieting, but the weight of his words makes her shudder against him. Amos swallows hard, his voice cracking again as he adds, almost inaudibly, "And I might—I might have a way to make their chances better. But it's all I've got left."
...
Obinai steadies himself on the fire escape's metal railing before turning back to Mya. "Hold on tight, okay?" he says, his voice soft but urgent.
Mya nods, her wide eyes filled with fear as she clambers out after him. The rickety fire escape groans under their weight as they begin their descent, the metal cold and slick beneath their hands.
"Don't look back," Obinai says, more to himself than to Mya. His heart pounds in his chest, each step feeling like it could collapse the structure beneath them.
But as they reach the second level, their descent comes to an abrupt halt. Mya gasps, clutching Obinai's arm as her gaze locks on the scene unfolding before them. "Obi…" she whispers, her voice barely audible.
Obinai looks up, his stomach dropping as he takes in the nightmare above. The city skyline is no longer recognizable. Towering creatures move with grotesque grace, their massive forms blotting out the stars. Their pale, smooth skin gleams under the flickering light of fires burning in the distance. Some of the creatures crawl across buildings like predatory insects, while others swoop through the air, their movements unnervingly fluid for their size.
"What are they doing?" Mya asks, her voice trembling.
Obinai can't answer. His mouth is dry, his hands gripping the railing so tightly that his knuckles turn white. He watches in horrified silence as one of the creatures lands on a nearby building, its massive hands glowing with an eerie, blackish-white light. The air around it seems to hum with energy, an unnatural keening sound that cuts through the chaos like a blade.
"What is that sound?" Mya whimpers, covering her ears. "It hurts…"
Obinai winces, his teeth on edge as the sound grows louder. "I don't know," he says, his voice strained. "Just… just stay close."
The glow in the creature's hands intensifies, coalescing into a black spear of pure energy, its surface shifting like molten metal. The creature rears back, its movements deliberate and terrifyingly precise. With a powerful, fluid motion, it hurls the spear into the air.
The projectile arcs across the skyline, its trajectory deadly and unerring. Obinai's breath catches as he follows its path, his heart sinking when he realizes where it's headed.
"No…" he whispers, his voice barely audible.
The spear strikes with devastating force, impaling a building below. The explosion is immediate, a burst of light and sound that shakes the air around them. Obinai stares, frozen, as smoke and debris billow outward, engulfing the structure in chaos.
It takes him a moment to register what he's looking at, and when he does, his chest tightens painfully. "The library…" he mutters, his voice cracking.
Mya looks up at him, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. "What?"
Obinai swallows hard, his mind flooded with memories—the quiet afternoons spent there, the smell of old books, the soft murmur of turning pages. He remembers sitting with Mya in the children's section, their mother reading to them while sunlight streamed through the large windows. That place had been a refuge, a sanctuary.
Now, it stands broken, a gaping hole torn through its heart. Smoke pours from the wreckage, and the faint sound of screams rises from the chaos below.
Obinai's hands tremble as he grips the railing, his knuckles aching from the strain. "That was…" He trails off, unable to finish the sentence.
"Obi," Mya says softly, tugging at his arm. "We have to go."
Her voice pulls him back to the present, and he blinks, his vision clearing. He nods stiffly, forcing himself to turn away from the devastation. "Yeah," he says, his voice hollow. "Let's go."