Chapter 63 - Chapter 63

The internet's cry reigned over the cities, Rome and Paris, leaving anything that roamed the locations in a state of unrecognition. But this time, it wasn't just a minor static in the system, rather a treacherous event that has left many devastated. After all, such obstructions are always unpredictable, be it simple or complex.

A figure stood in the middle of the unsettling result deemed outright horrifying. The man wasn't sure of what to do anymore. He stared at the ground and everything his dull eyes laid on; people screaming at the top of their lungs for help, deteriorated infrastructure, and the city that was once lively but now in ruins. It was because of that monster who came out of hiding, for who knows how long and now, it's taking back everything.

"It's all gone. Just like that. This place isn't recognizable anymore." Lifting his feet off the ash-covered ground, the man continued walking towards the less-affected areas that looked to be miles away. A sense of hopelessness came tumbling down the moment clouds of smoke blocked the safe zone from view. The man felt his throat tighten when he realized the distance was being unfair to him, and the remaining survivors pacing back and forth around the rubble feeling just as lost as he was. 

Sirens echoed from every corner. Rescue was on their way but the man was no longer eager for support, he just wanted to forget about the incident, which was impossible. Even the dark of the night wasn't enough to consume his detached state.

It was just a call, nothing harmless. A few friends from Paris gave the man a call and then the worst happened. Undoubtedly everyone else around him was contacting someone at that very moment, a collective intent that caused this. But who was to blame when it was the monster's arrival that caused this. "Why did it come here of all places?" The man was mortified.

That magnetic explosion kept replaying in the man's head, he wanted to move on with his life from here but the horrific scenes kept haunting him. Every time they appeared he had to convince himself that he will go about his life like normal the next day. But just because he's not severely affected doesn't mean he can forget it about however he wants, it was going to affect everyone eventually in many ways.

At the other side, the surroundings were no different. The cause being the same thing that has left damages and bruises.

"Whatever you do, don't go anywhere we have to stick together," A boy and his little sister were looking for a way out of this part of the city. "Just like what Mom and Dad said." They hoped for a reunion soon.

"Why did that monster attack everyone?" With much curiosity, the boy's little sister really wanted an answer to what was going on. She was frightened and confused. No animal has done such an awful thing, she believed there had to be a reason for its outlash.

Naive as she was, more questions started filling in the deafening silence. It's not that the boy didn't want to answer her questions, it's just that the context of the situation wasn't matching with her sought for this monster's reasoning. This monster shouldn't even be compared to other animals, it had no sense of justice in what it was doing.

Therefore he had to get straight to the point. Whether his little sister was prepared for the answer, she needed to know the reality of the situation. This was the same monster that left everyone in the region fearing for their lives. 

"I don't know why it did that. But we shouldn't go near it look what happened." The boy replied in distress.

"Maybe someone can help it? It seemed terrified- of something." A cough escaped her throat. The boy's little sister was still insistent on understanding this creature.

"We're supposed to find a way home. Dad was going to pick us up and then this happened. Let's hope he's OK forget about that monster." Even though their father was most likely further away from the city, the boy still wanted to get to him somehow.

This plan didn't sound convincing to the boy's little sister. "Is the monster allergic to sound?" She asked after a while.

"Honestly, I think the electromagnetic waves from the phones were getting in its way. That's why it did that." The boy didn't want to think about it anymore. Both of them were waiting outside their music class when the magnetic explosion occurred.

One by one, the rest of the lights went out leaving them in darkness. It was pitch black in the destroyed area making it hard to navigate through the fallen structures. They had to get out of there fast or one of them could get injured.

"I always thought aliens were friendly," The boy's little sister continued. "But this alien is very mean."

"Not everyone is nice and that monster is a clear example of that." Stepping over the rocks on the ground, both the boy and his little sister quickened their pace so they won't accidentally trip while keeping the conversation going. This was the best way to avoid the silence dawning over them.

Meanwhile, a bright glow appeared in view. This must be our way out of here! The boy's heart started racing it was about time they got a clue of where they were headed.

"Hold on we have to check our surroundings." Before they could move an inch, the boy's little sister turned her head in both directions. It seems she was terrified of this alien monster just as much as the boy was. At least she was aware of the severity of the situation. She's right, that monster could be hiding in the shadows so they had to be careful.

As they continued down the path, the light shone on something lying on the ground not just one but several of them.

Both the boy and his little sister exchanged glances with each other and decided to take a closer look at the strange dark shapes in front of them.

"Look at those birds!" The boy's little sister cried, she pointed at the flock lying on the ground.

Are they dead? It's hard to tell but I don't see any injuries their feathers don't have any bruises. Quietly, the boy got closer and squinted his eyes at the birds. To his surprise, they were still alive just in a state of shock. Their eyes were wide open and every single one of them were shaking tremendously as though they were in fear.

"They're not dead, just scared." Taking caution, the boy carefully picked up one of the pigeons and examined its wings and talons trembling in his hands.

"It's a miracle they survived," His little sister commented. "But they need treatment. We can't just leave them here." That was a good point, the boy was hoping to see someone in the distance but they were the only ones unfortunately.

"Maybe I can put them all in my backpack, what do you say?" It was worth a try, should the boy's backpack run out of space the other birds could take shelter in his little sister's backpack.

"Let's take out our stuff and carry them so we can make some space for the pigeons." The boy's little sister picked up the items in her bag and held them in her arms. A joyful smile appearing on her face despite what they were going through.

This made her brother feel a little calm, his little sister was always taking the extra mile to help others, human or animal. He was proud of his generous sibling.

The bird in his hands started flapping its wings slightly. Both of them took it as a sign that it understood their intentions.

"I think he knows we're trying to help him!" Feeling excited, the boy's little sister walked towards the other birds who weren't shaking as much as when they first saw them.

"We're going to help you buddy don't worry," The boy reassured the pigeon he was holding. "Your friends are safe with us too."

A rumble was heard from the pigeon's throat. Both of them took it as a form of acknowledgement for their kind acts.

The boy's little sister hopped around the area waiting for her brother to neatly put the pigeon in his bag so she could pick up the other ones on the ground.

But at that very moment, something strange occurred.

"Are those clouds?" Both siblings looked up and saw a dark mass approaching the area. They were clouds, large ones that gave off a very strong acidic smell.

The boy started coughing non-stop. These fumes given out by the clouds were drying up his throat fast. Any word that came out of his mouth became hoarse even his little sister couldn't understand a word he was saying.

To make matters worse, it was chillingly cold because of the ongoing storm. Luckily, the boy had a bottle of water in his bag that his little sister got out.

"Here drink this-" Soon after she started coughing too struggling to get the words out. This was nerve-racking there was hardly anyone in this part of the Paris except for a few survivors who were wandering around looking for help and shelter. Once a while they would happen to be in the spot only to disappear into the fog.

"We have to get out of here fast." The boy got up and stared at the row of streetlights ahead of the two siblings. They were very close to safety.