Kevan was tinkering with an old radio, trying to tune into any broadcasts from the outside world, when his ears perked up as he suddenly sensed a stir of activity outside the bunker's walls.
"Dad, I think something's happening out there," he said with worry.
"What do you mean?" Ronan asked, not taking his eyes off the device.
"I can hear people moving around."
Ronan finally turned to look at his son. "Stay here. I'll go check it out."
"No, Dad, I'm coming with you!"
"Fine, but stay close. And keep quiet."
Kevan nodded, following his father through the darkened hallways. They climbed a ladder and pushed open a trapdoor, emerging into the daylight.
Outside the bunker, Ronan cautiously crept through the brush, Kevan trailing behind. As they approached the edge of the woods, Kevan heard the unmistakable sound of engines roaring to life. They also could hear commotion coming from a distance.
"That sounds like a convoy," Ronan whispered.
"Who are they?"
"I don't know. But they don't seem to be from around here."
Kevan could see the look of concern on his father's face, and his anxiety grew. Who were these people? What did they want?
As they decided to head to the rooftop for a better view, they caught sight of a group of armed men in the distance.
"They're not from around here," he observed. "They're dressed differently."
"Where do you think they're from?"
"I don't know," his father replied as he shrugged. "But they seem to be headed in our direction."
"Do you think they're a threat, Dad?" Kevan asked, his voice trembling.
"I'm not sure. But we need to be careful."
Just then, a loud boom shook the ground, followed by a massive plume of smoke and fire erupting from the nearby city.
"What the hell was that, Dad?"
"That was a bomb. A small one."
"What are they doing here?"
"I don't know. But we need to get out of here."
"But, Dad..."
"Come on, son. We have to go."
Kevan reluctantly followed his father back to the bunker, the sounds of explosions and gunfire ringing in their ears.
"This is a bad idea," Ronan said with gloomy expression. "I can sense it."
Putting on a brave face, Kevan said, "Don't worry, Dad. We'll be fine."
"I'm not so sure about that. I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Relax, Dad," Kevan said, rolling his eyes. "I'll protect you."
"You're just a young man. You can't protect me from anything."
"Oh, yeah?" Kevan challenged. "Try me."
Before Ronan could respond, a blast rocked the bunker, sending debris raining down around them.
"What was that?" Kevan asked, his heart racing. "Sounds like they found us!"
"Get down, son! Cover your head!"
Ronan threw himself over his son, shielding him from the falling debris. The two of them clung to each other as the chaos erupted around them.
"Dad, what's happening?"
"I don't know, son," his father replied, his voice laced with fear. "I don't know."
The bunker shook and rattled as more explosions rocked the surrounding area.
As the blasts continued, Ronan held his son close, praying that they would survive this.
"Hold on, son," he whispered. "We'll get through this. I promise."
Kevan closed his eyes, hoping that his father was right.
After the dust settled, Ronan and Kevan cautiously ventured out of the bunker, surveying the damage.
"I think they're gone," Kevan said. "But who were they?"
"I have no idea," Ronan replied, shaking his head. "But I don't think they're coming back."
"Dad, what do we do now?"
"How about we stay in the bunker until this whole mess blows over?" Ronan suggested.
"I like that idea," Kevan agreed.
So, the two of them returned to the safety of their bunker, hoping that the danger had passed.
But little did they know, the danger had only just begun. As the lights flickered off, plunging them into darkness, a sense of dread settled over them like a heavy blanket.
They exchanged worried glances, realizing that they were now truly alone in the face of whatever threat lurked outside.
"Dad, the lights are out," Kevan said, trying not to panic. "We use a solar cell system for electricity, so it shouldn't just go off like this. Something bad must have happened."
"Don't worry, son," Ronan said. "I'm sure they'll come back on soon."
"But what if they don't?"
"Then we'll have to figure out a way to get them back on."
Kevan couldn't help but worry, though. If the power was out, that meant the ventilation system was too, which meant they were running out of air.
"Dad, we have to do something," Kevan said, starting to panic. "We need to get out of here, Dad. We can't stay in here forever."
"Not yet, son," Ronan replied. "I'm sure it'll be fine."
Kevan wasn't convinced, but he had no choice but to trust his father.
As they waited anxiously, hoping for the best, their fears were soon realized as another crash cracked through the air, followed by the ominous sound of approaching footsteps.
"They're back," Kevan whispered. "They've come to finish the job."
"Stay calm, son," Ronan said. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
Kevan could feel the fear building inside him, threatening to overwhelm him, but he pushed it down, trying to remain strong for his father.
"What do you think they want, Dad?" Kevan asked, his voice trembling.
"Dunno," his father replied. "Maybe they just wanted to scare us. Or maybe they're looking for something."
"What could they possibly want here?"
"I don't know, son, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."
Kevan furrowed his brow as he remembered something. "Dad, do you think Lysandra's alright out there?"
Ronan's expression turned serious. "I hope so. But we need to stay focused. We'll find her and make sure she's safe."
The footsteps grew closer, the sound of boots crunching on gravel filling the air.
Ronan and Kevan looked at each other, silently preparing themselves for whatever was to come.
As the door of the bunker flew open with a crash, revealing a group of armed soldiers dressed in black combat gear, Ronan knew that their time was up. They scanned the room with their weapons drawn, searching for any sign of movement.
"There's no one here," one of them called out.
"Let's move on," the leader replied.
"Wait!" said another man. "We should search the place."
"Fine," the leader agreed. "But make it quick."
Kevan and his father held their breath, praying that the soldiers would leave without discovering their hiding spot.
The soldiers combed the bunker, looking for anything of value. They ransacked the rooms, smashing furniture and destroying personal belongings.
"This is pointless," the leader grumbled. "There's nothing here."
"Hold on," the other man said. "I think I found something."
"What is it?" the leader asked, stepping closer.
"It looks like a secret door," the other man replied, examining the wall.
"Well, open it then," the leader demanded.
"I can't," the other man replied. "It's locked."
"Then blow it open," the leader said.
"Right," the other man replied, pulling a device from his pocket.
"Wait!" Ronan cried as he came out of his hiding place, unable to hold back any longer. "Please don't destroy our home. We're unarmed. We won't resist."
"Shut up!" the leader yelled, pointing his gun at Ronan.
"No, please," Ronan begged. "We mean no harm. Just let us go."
"Shut up or I'll shoot you," the leader threatened, his finger hovering over the trigger.
Kevan trembled in fear as the menacing soldiers stood before them, their guns aimed at his head.
"Please, spare us," Ronan pleaded. "We'll do anything you ask."
"Anything?" the leader asked, a sinister smile forming on his lips.
"Yes," his father replied, swallowing hard. "Anything."
"Tell me your name!"
Ronan stood tall, his voice steady. "It's Ronan Mullendore."
"Well, in that case," the leader said, holstering his weapon, "you can come with us. You'll be useful to our cause, Prof. Mullendore." He paused, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "You're on the list of the most wanted persons. We've been searching for you because we need your expertise. Now, you can help us whether you like it or not."
Kevan and his father exchanged a confused glance, unsure what the leader meant.
"Who are you?" Kevan asked.
"Never mind who we are," the leader said. "All you need to know is that you need to help us."
"Help you?" Ronan repeated.
"That's right," the leader replied. "We're here to save humanity. And you're going to help us."
Kevan and his father stared at each other in disbelief.
"What do you mean?" Kevan asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"You'll see," the leader replied, his grin widening. "Come with us, and you'll find out."
"No," Ronan said, his tone firm. "We won't go with you."
Kevan watched as his father tried to defend himself, but was knocked unconscious with a single blow. "Dad!"
"Relax, kid," the leader said, "he'll live."
"Don't touch him!"
"Or what?"
Kevan lunged at the leader, but was easily overpowered by the stronger man.
"That's it," the leader said, grabbing Kevan's arm and twisting it behind his back, "time for a little trip."
Kevan struggled against the leader, but was no match for the older, stronger man. "No!"
"Yeah," the leader sneered, "this will be fun."
Kevan kicked and screamed, trying desperately to break free, but the leader's grip was too strong.
"Let me go!"
"Not a chance," the leader said, dragging Kevan towards the open door of the bunker.
Kevan could only watch helplessly as his home was destroyed and his father was taken away.
"Come on, kid," the leader said, "time to meet your new friends."
As the leader dragged him out of the bunker, Kevan caught a glimpse of the destruction around him.
"My home..." he sobbed.
"Don't worry, kid," the leader said. "Your home is gone, but your new home will be much better."
Kevan looked up at the leader with hatred in his eyes.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," the leader replied.
Kevan could only pray that his father was okay, and that they would both survive whatever lay ahead.
He looked around at the destroyed landscape, his heart breaking. He had never imagined that his homeland could look like this, but now, all he could see was a wasteland. The sky was an eerie orange, filled with smoke and ash.
As he was hauled away, his father remained unconscious, unaware of the horrors that awaited them.