In the quiet suburbs of our city, life moved at an easy, predictable pace. Days passed without much change, blending into one another in a way that felt almost comforting. Nothing ever really happened here, and maybe that was why people liked it.
My name is Rael, and I was just another high school student trying to get through the usual struggles of adolescence.
I lived in a cozy two-story house with my family. My parents, Mark and Linda, were the kind of people you'd expect in a place like this—kind, responsible, and always doing their best for their children. There were three of us in total, and being the middle child meant I was often stuck somewhere in between everything.
My older sister, Emily, was twenty-two and already working in the city. She had her life together in a way I couldn't quite relate to yet. Even though she was busy most of the time, she always came home on weekends, bringing a sense of stability with her. She liked giving advice—sometimes helpful, sometimes not—but it was her way of showing she cared.
Then there was Lily.
Seven years old, full of energy, and easily the brightest presence in our home. She had a way of making everything feel lighter, no matter how dull the day had been. Whether it was her laughter or the way she proudly showed off her latest drawing, she always managed to lift the mood. I often helped her with homework or read her bedtime stories, small moments that I didn't think much about at the time.
As for me, I was eighteen and still figuring things out. My days were filled with school, basketball practice, and whatever I felt like doing in my free time—usually video games or anime. There was nothing particularly special about my life, but it was comfortable.
Normal.
That morning started like any other.
The sharp ringing of my alarm clock cut through the quiet of my room, dragging me out of sleep. I groaned and forced myself out of bed, already dreading the routine ahead. After a quick shower and breakfast with my family, I headed out for school.
Westwood High was exactly what you'd expect—crowded hallways, constant noise, and the familiar rhythm of everyday student life. As I walked through the corridors, I exchanged casual greetings with classmates, nothing more than passing interactions that filled the space without meaning much.
"Yo!"
A hand slapped against my back, nearly knocking me forward.
I didn't even need to turn around. "Jake."
My best friend grinned at me, already full of energy. "Game's coming up. You ready?"
"Yeah," I replied with a smirk. "We've got this."
Moments like these were simple. Easy. The kind you didn't think twice about.
The kind you assumed would always be there.
After a long day of classes and practice, I finally made my way back home. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a familiar sight.
Lily sat at the kitchen table, completely absorbed in something.
The second she noticed me, her face lit up. "Rael! Look!"
She held up a colorful drawing, her eyes shining with excitement. "I made a unicorn!"
I chuckled, walking over and ruffling her hair gently. "That's amazing. You're getting better every day."
Her smile widened, clearly proud of herself.
It was a small moment, but it felt… warm.
Dinner that night was lively, as always. My dad talked about work, my mom mentioned her book club, and Emily teased Lily about her latest "crush," earning an embarrassed reaction from her. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and the kind of comfort that came from being together.
After finishing my meal, I leaned back slightly. "Thanks for the food, Mom."
"You're welcome, dear," she replied with a smile. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Oh, I'm going to the supermarket tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure," I said with a small shrug. "Why not?"
It wasn't anything special, but it sounded nice.
As I made my way toward my room, I slowed down when I passed the living room. The television was on, and a news broadcast caught my attention.
"…an armed robbery occurred this morning at the bank on 45th Street…"
I paused, glancing at the screen. The newscaster spoke with a serious expression, her tone steady but urgent.
"…the suspect is believed to be part of a group responsible for multiple robberies across the city. Police are continuing their investigation and urge citizens to remain vigilant."
I frowned slightly. Crime wasn't exactly rare, especially in the city, but something about the report left an uneasy feeling in my chest.
Still, I turned away.
It didn't have anything to do with me.
At least, that's what I thought.
Inside my room, everything felt quiet again. Normal. I reached for my phone, checking for messages out of habit.
Nothing.
A faint sense of disappointment crept in, followed by something I didn't really want to acknowledge.
Loneliness.
I sighed and set the phone down.
'Maybe she's busy,' I thought, staring up at the ceiling as I lay back on my bed.
'She's always busy, right?'
'Don't overthink it.'
I let out a soft chuckle at myself and closed my eyes, letting the steady hum of the fan fill the silence.
"Ah… whatever."
Sleep began to take over.
Bzzt.
My eyes snapped open instantly.
I grabbed my phone without hesitation, my heart beating a little faster than it should have.
"Is it her?"
I unlocked the screen quickly.
…Jake.
[Yo, dude! The game's canceled. Let's go to the arcade!]
I stared at the message for a moment before letting out a long groan and dropping back onto the bed.
"Of course…"
I ran a hand through my hair, already losing interest—until something clicked.
"…Wait."
I sat up slightly, frowning.
"'Yo, dude'?"
That didn't sound like Jake at all. He usually used way more slang—annoyingly so.
I shook my head. "Whatever."
It wasn't important.
I quickly typed out a reply, a small grin forming on my face as I hit send.
"Let's see how he reacts to that."
Tossing my phone aside, I stretched slightly and closed my eyes again.
"Now I'm actually going to sleep."
Bzzt.
I opened my eyes again, irritation immediately rising.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Some people just didn't know when to stop.
Still, I reached for my phone.
"Let's see what he wants now…"
Jake: Bro, can you translate this? It's from that girl we met on Ludo. She finally replied.
Jake: آپ کا نام کیا ہے
I blinked, staring at the message.
"…Seriously?"
Jake: Bro, you there?
Jake: Voice message it on WhatsApp.
I stared at the screen in disbelief.
"…This guy…"
Shaking my head, I typed out a response.
Me: How many times do I have to tell you not to ask me to translate simple sentences? And I don't have a WhatsApp package. I'm not helping you.
I sent it and waited.
No reply came.
I sighed, setting the phone aside again.
"I seriously don't understand him…"
For a moment, everything was quiet again.
Peaceful.
Normal.
Then—
Crash.
The sound exploded through the house without warning.
The floor trembled beneath me as something massive struck from above.
My eyes widened as a deep, unnatural shadow spread across my room.
"…What the hell…?"
Dust began to fall from the ceiling.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The air itself felt heavier, like the world had suddenly shifted into something unfamiliar.
Slowly, I looked up.
And froze.
The ceiling began to crack.
Not slightly.
Not slowly.
But like something was forcing its way through from above.
Something enormous.
Something that didn't belong in this world.
"…No way…"
My heart began to pound as the cracks spread wider.
And in that moment—
For the first time in my life—
I felt it.
That quiet, ordinary world I had always known…
Was about to end.