Walking through the door, I held my book under my arm as the door chimed. Without turning around, the clerk started the customary greeting as she turned.
"Welcome to The Vibe. We will be right with you. Oh, Grace, it's good to see you. Do you want your usual?"
The clerk, Mary, smiled when she saw me, making me smile back.
"Yes, I would appreciate that."
I responded by grabbing the money to the exact amount, handing it over to her as she caught it, opening the register after counting, and smiling.
"I heard your sister was getting married."
I paused temporarily before nodding as I spoke.
"She is; I'm guessing you saw her Engagement post."
"Of course, and they both look so cute together. Tell your sister congratulations for me when you see her next."
Mary turned around and started making my coffee as I fidgeted slightly while speaking.
"I'll remember to do that."
Being handed my drink, I looked around and saw those already seated, making sure the way to where I wanted to sit was open.
In a different universe.
"It shouldn't be long before a new galaxy is integrated into the multiversal systems control."
Speaking with a graveling tone, looking through a pane of glass. A silhouette of a being that isn't entirely human, its arms too long, reaching down to the knees, the ears angled down with a point, but the back stands straight as black whisps of energy flow from the body of the being. As another approach, standing beside its body like that of a short but lanky man, but even in the dark, the eyes are glowing with a silver glint.
"It should start in approximately 30 minutes."
The man's voice sounds broken, like someone going through puberty, with a whistling sound at the end of each word.
"How many do you estimate will survive Corsair?"
The being turns its head in an unnatural way that would make it seem like it is snapped. Looking at the man showing its sharp teeth as it spoke the man's name.
"According to the studies, less than seventy percent will survive the integration."
On earth
Finishing my drink, I looked down at my book before hearing a loud ringing that made me flinch. Rubbing my temple as I wonder whose device is making such a horrid noise as I look up to see everyone in the coffee shop reacting in different ways to the same noise I was hearing, making me frown as I realized that no device is making that noise before a giant screen covered my view ahead of myself. As I speak softly, muttering to myself.
"What the hell?"
[Welcome and congratulations to all of you who are part of this local star system. Your Galaxy has been accepted as compatible with the integration system. All beings shall be transported to a separate dimensional space during integration to see compatibilities and capabilities. All beings will be exposed to a trial that will evolve all survivors to unlock their most significant potential. Be warned, at no point is any survival guaranteed, and all actions have consequences. More information shall be provided before the trial with essential equipment. Twenty minutes are remaining before all beings shall be transported for their trial. May you go forth and conquer your destiny.]
Clamoring rose in the coffee shop as people began to panic. A woman started to yell as she pulled out her phone, already dialing a number as she spoke.
"I need to call my family."
As he repeatedly muttered, a middle-aged man seemed lost in the depths.
"This can't be real."
A Teenage boy with messy hair yelled loudly.
"Posts on this are already on the internet. The screen is going viral."
Someone rushed over, quickly grabbing the remote for the customers' television as they switched the TV on the news station. The news reporter started talking, but with everyone panicking, all I did was curl into myself more, dreading what was happening. Soon, an older man yelled out, sounding like a sergeant.
"Although I don't truly believe nor do I understand what is happening, I believe that everyone should attempt to contact loved ones if it is believed that what the message said is true."
That seemed to rile up a few who were still focusing on the news, but after hearing that man's words, I snapped out of it and messaged my sister and my parents. My fingers tremble as I try to comprehend what I should message them before I receive a message from my parents.
{Cookie, are you safe? Do you know what is going on?}
I softly smiled at my nickname and noticed I had received a similar message from my sister.
{Cracker, I don't know what is happening, but be careful and safe. If everything is still working after what is happening, contact me so I know you are safe."
I quickly began to type and read my message out loud.
"I'll do my best to be careful and safe, but I don't fully understand what is happening. So if this is the last time we talk, I want to say I love you all and be careful."
The final message from my family received before the integration was simple.
"We love you too."