The day had come. Everything was ready. All the waiting and preparation were over. Suddenly, Boom! BOOM! BOOM! Three terrific explosions shattered the tranquil morning air, sending shockwaves through the great city of Havenwood. The explosions left behind a landscape of smoldering ruins and billowing smoke. Debris littered the streets like confetti from a nightmare parade while flames danced hungrily amidst the rubble, casting flickering shadows that writhed and twisted in the eerie glow of the fires.
Amidst the chaos, civilians scrambled for safety, their panicked cries echoing through the shattered streets like a symphony of despair. Some staggered, dazed and disoriented, their clothes torn and their faces smeared with dust and ash. Others sprinted frantically, their eyes wide with fear, as they searched for refuge from the storm of destruction that had descended upon their once-peaceful city.
In the midst of the chaos, amidst the cacophony of screams and the crackle of flames, snippets of dialogue pierced the air like shards of broken glass:
“Where’s my family? Has anyone seen my daughter?”
“We need to get out of here! We can’t stay!”
“Help! Somebody, please help me!”
It turns out that the terrorist Maximus Blackthorn and his group of soldiers had infiltrated the city! With the intent of killing and destroying everything and eventually conquering the city.
Henry was shocked and terrified by what happened. His eyes saw the scenery as he looked around him—the destruction that happened, the people dead and brutally injured. Out of instinct, he ran and screamed out his wife’s name.
“Hannah, Hannah! Where are you!”
A faint and weak voice echoed through the shattered walls of the grocery store.
“H~Henry, Henry, he~help me, my leg, it hurts.”
Henry quickly ran, grabbed the first aid kit, and went to help his wife.
With a terrified face, Henry saw a metal rod that went through Hannah’s left leg. He opened the first aid kit and grabbed a water bottle and with a trembling voice, said.
“Hannah, Hannah, drink this pain reliever, Ibuprofen, to help with the pain.”
Hannah drank the pill. Then Henry grabbed the small towel.
“Hannah, bite this towel for a moment.”
Hannah knew what Henry was going to do, and she was hesitant at first. But when Henry told her that they needed to hurry up because their son was waiting at home, she finally agreed and bit the towel.
“On a count of three, three, two, one, go!”
“Hannah screamed loudly.
Henry finally removed the rod, applied the alcohol, cleaned it, added betadine, and wrapped it.
“It’s all right now. Now, quickly, let me help you up, Hannah. We need to get out of here. Let’s go home and see if Lucas is okay.”
Henry and Hannah ran outside, swiftly avoiding the chaos and got in a car.
Amongst the chaos, young Lucas stood frozen on the front porch of their house. His heart raced with fear and confusion. Smoke billowed in ominous clouds, obscuring the once peaceful streets. Panic gripped him as he searched desperately for any sign of his parents.
With trembling hands, he dialled his father’s number, his eyes darting nervously around the neighbourhood. Each ring felt like an eternity until his father’s voice finally crackled through the phone.
“Lucas – Lucas, are you alright!”
“Dad! Dad, where are you? What’s happening? There are explosions and Smoke everywhere! I’m so scared,” Lucas exclaimed, his voice trembling.
“Don’t worry, Lucas. We’re coming for you!” Henry reassured him, with worry in his voice. Stay inside, lock the doors, and don’t let anyone in unless it’s us, okay?”
“Okay, Dad, please hurry!”
Henry and Hannah navigated through their once great city’s messy and destroyed streets.
Five hours later, they finally arrived at the front yard of their house. Henry carried Hannah inside as fast as he could.
“LUCAS! LUCAS open the door, we’re here!”
Lucas opened the door and the locks as fast as he could and hugged his parents tightly.
“Thank god you’re safe!” Hannah said happily.
Suddenly, Henry grabbed his tools and wooden planks at his toolshed and went to work to protect themselves.
A few hours later, the house was completely barricaded and felt safe.
The family sat together in the living room and embraced each other tightly, hoping and waiting for somebody to help them.
They felt safe and relieved at the moment. Enjoying each other’s company.
A few minutes later, they ate dinner and slept close, hugging each other tightly.
“KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK”
Henry, alerted by the complete loud banging, grabbed his shotgun and quickly walked to the door.
“Be careful,” Hannah exclaimed with fear in her voice.
Henry was walking to the front door with the shotgun ready to be fired.
Henry thought of the possible things that could happen when he opened the door.
Henry, sweating and afraid, was ready to open the door.
With his sweaty hands, he grabbed the doorknob, ready for whatever happened to count in his mind.
“3…2…1”
Henry quickly opened the door, and from his expression—eyes wide open, mouth slightly open—it was clear he was shocked and happy.
Soldiers came to the city and rescued civilians. The family sat in the back of the military truck with the soldiers.
Relieved, the family was happy and thought they could finally escape this chaos.
“Finally, we’ll be safe,” Hannah said happily.
“Yeah, we’re lucky, thank god,” Henry said, tightly hugging Hannah and Lucas.
Suddenly, the sound of a missile was getting louder and louder and louder until…
“BOOOM!”
The military truck exploded. Debris, parts of the truck, and fire were scattered everywhere.
Lucas woke up badly injured and saw the destruction that had happened with his tired and terrified eyes. Lucas saw the corpses of his parents lying dead on the floor. He cried, tears filled his eyes, as he ran to his dead parents. Waking them up and forcing them to move, but it’s no use. Suddenly, the soldiers from the other truck picked him up and ran back to the vehicle to aid and keep him safe. While the soldiers fight off the terrorists.
Amongst this chaos, little Lucas cried and cried and saw flashbacks of his parents and all of the happy times they had together. He was very mad and was so confused. He couldn’t believe that his parents had died.
“I swear, I swear! Mom and Dad, I’ll avenge you!” Lucas exclaimed, his voice filled with anger and vengeance and his eyes filled with rage.
The end
To be continued…
About the Author
Daniel (DJ), 16 years old, is a sports lover and an athlete. He plays basketball and has been part of various leagues and winning teams. When he doesn’t have basketball games, he loves to play online games like most teens do. DJ is a lover of science and history and would read books in one sitting on these subjects. From time to time, he also raises thought provoking questions that would start engaging, meaningful, and sometimes deep conversations with his mom.
He also likes to tease his younger siblings, play with their pet dog George and has a strong appetite for eating 😊