Fiona Le Blaunche
My hands throbbed with a dull numbness as my nails dug into the side of the chair as I watched the tv, not wanting to look away for a moment. The faces on the screen were unknown to me, but one or two felt familiar as I watched their struggles. I could feel the emotions coursing through me as they fought. I cheered when they succeeded, felt sorrow at the deaths and shouted out in glee when that man was saved by that other man. Through the differing emotions, I couldn't bear the thought to look away, taking in every gruesome detail as if something compelled me to watch, holding my head steady as if gripped by some unseen entity. Louis watched from beside me, his arms cradling me like one would do to a cuddly teddy bear through the night. His warmth soothed me, his mere presence felt like a beacon that kept me from thinking about that day. Of course he tried his best to distract me, by taking me out, but with no one knowing what exactly happened that night, it was difficult to tear my mind from it. He didn't seem to understand as I did, but with this broadcasting, I could feel his nervousness coupled alongside his warm skin. We watched the screen for what seemed like an eternity, in a bittersweet silence, only broken by our gasps of surprise and cheers. I felt Louis shifting in his chair before leaving for the toilet, but oddly, I didn't feel the need to do anything other than watch. It was as if I knew that I must watch this, at least for those that died that day.
Ashlea Drury
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed as I watched what staggered out of the darkness. The half human half bovine appearance of the monster was a shockingly realistic interpretation of a mythological beast. The broadcast made no sense, this screen held no power, but somehow still projected the show. I heard echoes from my neighbours flats either side of mine, but I felt more subdued than their annoying worries that stemmed from the same realisation that I had just made. I sat on the floor, with my back against the chair and watched the screen in utter silence, compelled almost to take everything in. Watching the screen felt so similar and different to that time two weeks ago. My reverence of those on screen vanished as a harsh knock sounded against the wooden door. I looked through the peephole, seeing two figures, one dressed in ornate military garb that either had never been worn before or something that the man took great pride in. The other, a willowy, raven haired figure wore a businesswomen's suit and trousers, looking like she had just come back from modelling the attire due to how well she seemed to suit it. I breathed out and opened the door slowly.
"Hello?" I asked as the imposing figure wearing the military outfit rescinded his closed fist, looking somewhat startled and embarrassed.
"Are you Ashlea Drury?" The black man asked and I gulped, nodding to myself. Screams sounded from the screen in the living room, but neither the man or woman seemed to notice or care.
"Yes, who are you?" the man held out his hand for a handshake, his once stoic expression now bent into a smile.
"Where are my manners, I am General Tyson Hastings and this-" he gestured to the elder woman to his right, "is Mrs Abigail Williams, would it be okay if we come in?" he asked but the woman's gaze meant that it wasn't a question.
"Please come in," I gestured for them to come in and closed the door behind them. I felt my ability bubbling to the surface, ready to be emitted, but I kept calm. "What is the purpose of this visit?" I asked and the woman looked me up and down with a scowl.
"We have come to invite you to a conference taking place in England, a week from now, but it isn't a request." She stated with utmost authority, which would have made those that didn't work in a similar department quiver and back down, I however knew my rights better than most. But it would probably be a good idea not to outright refuse before hearing more information.
"Why me?" I asked, directing the question to Tyson as he seemed more approachable.
"You will not be the only one who will be coming with us, we have simply asked people from different ways of life to explain their experience with members of the English public as a way to gather information about that," he pointed a finger at the screen.
"Your food, transport and accommodation will all be covered by us for the few days that you will be with us." Abigail muttered with a hint of indignation, "while there, feel free to go shopping or visit any tourist spots as it may be the last chance you get."
"What do you mean last chance?" I ignored Abigail once more, directing the question to Tyson again.
"She doesn't mean it in any malicious way, but, with the uncertainty of whatever is going on, some governments are thinking of closing down borders. Some are actively trying to gather individuals who experienced that, uh event, two weeks ago." I kept a close watch on his face, but for what it's worth, he's either a very good liar or he's actually telling the truth.
"Wait a second, how did you know that I experienced that event?" I asked, finally pinpointing what had made me uncomfortable.
"To tell you the truth, we are more than aware that some individuals have returned from that time, brandishing what can only be seen as super powers." Tyson stated with a smile, "and one of our unit can locate people like yourselves." I suddenly felt a chill run through me, but Tyson simply laughed before continuing, "don't worry, we haven't come to abduct you or anything, anyone who refrains from using these abilities or at least uses them in a law abiding manner, we won't, uh," he struggled for the right word.
"Quarantine?" Abigail stated.
"Not the word I was looking for but sure," Tyson sighed, "the way we see it, these, abilities, are like firearms, people can own them sure, but as long as they don't go robbing shops with them, then we let them have them. At least until we find out more about what is happening." Tyson made a good point and I thought to myself in silence before looking at the screen.
"I will come with you, I, I also want to know more." I stated which caused Abigail to roll her eyes.
"Great, we will give you a call a few days from now when we finalise the plans with the English."
Charlotte Woodman
I turned from the screen, embracing David with wet hands and arms that were soaked in tears. Our boy, where has he gone? I thought as I saw what had transpired. I hung onto David not wanting to let go of him, lest he vanish too.
"I, I," David started to mutter as he kept watching on the TV. "I've never seen him so-" I could feel his warm eyes looking down at me as he didn't finish his words. But I understood his worries. That face, so alike to David's own, I didn't know it could make such a horrified expression.
"Please God, please send our boy home safely," I whispered. I didn't understand what we had just watched, the surreal nature of it made it feel like a hollywood film, but Isaac's face, nothing could be that well faked.
"Charlotte, he will be fine," I felt David's hand stroking my hair, "if I know anything about our son, it's that he is a fighter."
"That's, that's not, what I-" I stopped talking and instead broke off from the embrace. "I, I need to call Felicity." I walked from him then, out of earshot of the screen and found myself in the corner of the bedroom, crying tears that had long since dried up.