56The night that everything changed was remarkably beautiful.
The air was still and silent and despite the hour it was still warm. Few witnessed it however as they were busy sleeping at such an early hour of the morning. The entire city benefited from an unusual quietness which it seldom saw in the daytime. This was the time for sleep in preparation for the day to come.
It was no different in a medium sized house in one of the calmer neighborhoods. The tranquility was abruptly shattered as the phone rang. It took a good minute for anyone to even remotely stir but the caller was persistent. Eventually, a young woman staggered her way out into the corridor, still half asleep. She found her phone, which she had left to charge in the living room. Yawning, she answered it without thinking to check who was calling.
"Yes?" She asked exhausted "Jeremy? What the hell are you doing calling? It's-" She glanced up at a clock on the wall "Half three! I've got work tomorrow!"
She listened to the panic stricken voice on the other end. It was amazing how quickly such a tone woke her up. Her tiredness and initial annoyance at being given the call disappeared in a matter of milliseconds. Suddenly wide awake, she rushed back into her room, with the phone still pressed against her ear listening to her old friend. She opened the blinds slightly and looked out of the window; a strange glow now occupied the horizon.
Now, also in full blown panic mode she headed back to her bed and shook its remaining occupant who was still sleeping deeply, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding around him. He groaned a couple of times unhappy at being awoken so roughly. He finally opened his eyes, still not quite aware of what was happening.
"Ulrich! Ulrich! Wake up!" She shook him roughly "Oh God! Kai!"
"Huh?"
The young man got out of bed still not quite aware of what was going on. He gave her a confused glance as she rushed out of the room. He really was the least of her concerns at that moment though. She had woken him that was all that mattered right now where he was concerned. If the voice on the phone was to be trusted, he would know soon enough what was going on anyway. What was important right now was to get a head start.
She rushed into a small room and flicked the switch turning on the lights. Her eyes instinctively softened ever-so slightly as they fell upon the still slumbering child. Kneeling down by the side of the bed, she gently placed a hand on the child's shoulder. It didn't take much to wake him; doubtlessly the commotion had already done that for her. His dark eyes looked up at her obviously baffled at what was going on. He rubbed his eyes trying to get them accustomed to the sudden brightness of his bedroom.
"Mom? What's going on?" He asked her still half asleep
"No time to explain Kai!"
She picked up the child in one arm whilst succeeding in keeping the phone pressed against her ear. Jeremy was still talking. Yelling more like, he was screaming instructions but almost all of them could be summed up by the word run. She bumped into Ulrich as he in turn tore out of the room. Acting quickly, she passed him Kai. It was clear that the young child was becoming increasingly terrified as he gripped onto his father for protection.
She rushed over to the closet and grabbed her shoes and those of the rest of her family. It was going to be the only luxury they could afford as well as being a necessity if any walking was to be involved. The father and son put their shoes on without asking complaining or even questioning both of them could sense that whatever was going on was far too serious for them to have any time to waste.
"Hey what's up with the sky?" The young man asked looking out of the window "It can't be sunrise already."
"Jeremy! It's started!" The woman informed him fear creeping into her voice
"Yumi, you're less than a mile away!" Jeremy yelled at them. "You're going to be the most immediate targets! Get out of there now!"
