Aliens — the species that may exist outside the solar system or even within it — or perhaps we are the aliens according to others.
In 2030, when Earth had become calm like a piece of still water, an unexpected guest arrived.
They were called Black Guards. The people on Earth could only witness the destruction caused by the Black Guards.
Many countries fought them with full force, but every battle ended in losses.
Wherever the Black Guards entered, there was only destruction.
To protect their citizens, countries began building underground settlements.
India was one of the nations that built many such settlements in a short amount of time.
In a dark space, it felt as many people were standing in a small room.
"Manu, we're going to see the sun for the first time in many years," Srini said.
"Yes, the first time," Manu replied.
Slowly, a door began to open, letting in a small shaft of light from top to bottom.
Outside, the air was filled with black smoke, and the ground was a mix of grey and black colour.
Manu and Srini were inside a box-like structure along with many other peoples.
"All of you ,why are you still standing inside the elevator? Waiting for an invitation to get down?" a man with a gun shouted.
Everyone stepped out onto the ground, which was covered in black dust.
"This is the outside world , more like an ashy fog," Manu said .
"Man, I thought I could finally see the sun, but today isn't my lucky day," Srini said.
"Everyone who are visiting for the first time wear your long blanket around you, so you won't feel desiness, and make sure to drink water regularly. If you don't, you're going to die," a soldier warned.
"If you meet anyone outside, don't trust them. If you do, you will lose your life," another soldier added.
"And the main thing ,never lose your ID. If you lose it, don't come back to the settlement," a soldier said with strong face.
The soldier then began tying ropes around five people, one by one, in such a way that the ropes crossed over their hips and upper body, forming an X on their chest.
"Jump," the soldier commanded.
"What! No.... what do you mean by jumping from this height?" a person said.
"Yeah, you want us to jump from this height?" another person said.
"You all want to kill us!" another one shouted.
"I have paid money to get outside, you cannot do this!" one more person said.
They were standing on top of a wall. The wall was so high that it felt blurry to look at the bottom surface. They could see water, but the height itself was terrifying.
"Nowadays people are getting scared of death, they are not going to trust us," a soldier said.
Then he signaled other soldiers to do it. Slowly, soldiers came near the five people, one by one, and then pushed them.
"Ahhhh....." a person shouted.
"Please, don't push... ahhhhhh... uhhhhhh..." another person screamed.
"My father is a merchant on the 1st floor... ahhhhhhh!" another one cried.
.
.
.
Below the wall, the five people were just hanging in the air before they could touch the ground. The soldiers had tied ropes, keeping them suspended just above the ground.
"Everyone, don't lose your senses!" a soldier from above shouted.
"Just pull the small rope on the right side of your vest," another soldier instructed.
One by one, everyone pulled the rope and managed to land safely on the ground. Then the soldiers pulled the ropes back up and asked the next five people to come forward.
Then Srini, Manu, and three others stepped forward. The soldiers tied ropes around them.
"Now again, do we need to push you all again or are you going to jump yourselves?" a soldier asked.
Manu and Srini's legs were shaking from fear, but if they wanted to get down, they had to jump.
"Kick their asses, if they are still standing and wasting time!" a soldier shouted.
At the same time, the five people jumped down.
"Ohhhhhhh... ahhh...!" Srini screamed.
"Ehhhhhh... blaaaargh!" Manu cried.
Manu vomited in the air because of the pressure. Seeing this, Srini covered his mouth with his hands and shut his eyes.
"What is this? I think I also feel like vomiting!" Srini said.
"Sorry, it was... blaaaargh...!" Manu replied.
"Okay, you want to hang in the air? They're already shouting at you to come down," Srini said.
Manu pulled his short rope and dropped to the ground.
"You're alright, right? If you feel like vomiting, don't do it in front of me. Just go far away," Srini said.
Ahead of them there was a water, covered in a heavy fog that carried the smell of ashes.
Keeping close to the wall, Srini and Manu walked with the crowd. After five minutes, they reached a marine like structure where several boats were present. Some were small, while the bigger ones could carry about hundred people.
"Manu, did you bring any money?" Srini asked.
"Not even a single rupee," Manu replied.
"Then how are we supposed to get to the other side?" Srini asked.
"Let's see if anyone is willing to help us," Manu said.
They moved from boat to boat, watching peoples pay about fifty rupees each to board. Deeper inside the marine, they spotted a small boat. A man sat there with light hair covering his arms and a few white strands in his beard. His eyes were closed as he leaned back on the boat.
"Mister, can you take us to the other side?" Manu asked.
"Seventy rupees each," the man replied without opening his eyes.
"What? The big boats are charging fifty. Are you trying to scam us?" Srini asked loudly.
The man opened his eyes, looked at them briefly and then closed again.
"Then go take the big boat," he said.
Manu and Srini exchanged glances.
'If we had money, why would we have come to him?' Srini thought .
"Alright," Manu said, "but on one condition, we'll pay you once we return from the other side."
The man gave a faint smile.
"You look like it's your first time leaving the settlement. Yet you speak with the confidence of coming back from that hell and paying me" he said with the smile