The 6:30 event

Theo’s mind raced as he searched for a way out of the situation they’d found themselves in.

“Hurry, Lily! Come help me here—let’s head for the store!” Theo’s voice snapped Lily out of her panicked state.

Together, they threw Jack’s heavy arms over their shoulders and started moving. They had only taken a few steps when the door behind them crashed to the ground with a loud thud. The supposed zombies slowly waltzed in.

Theo yanked open the storeroom metal door with his free hand and shoved them all inside, slamming it shut behind them and locking it as fast as he could. At the very least, it would buy them some time—though how much, he didn’t know.

A set of wooden stairs stood just past the door, leading to the basement where the storage room was. The steps creaked beneath their feet as the trio hurried downward.

Theo and Lily carefully laid Jack on the ground, and Lily rushed into the storage room to grab the first aid kit. Jack, barely conscious, groaned as he lay bleeding. His eyes drooped as his awareness began to fade.

Lily returned quickly, kneeling beside Jack and beginning to examine the wound. Meanwhile, Theo leaned against the cold basement wall, his face buried in his hand as he struggled to comprehend what was happening.

Lily cleaned the gash. It was deep, but not deep enough to have damaged any organs. She exhaled in relief as she bandaged him.

“You’ll be fine,” she told Jack softly. “We’ll get you to a hospital as soon as we get out of here.”

Jack only managed a weak nod.

Lily stood and walked over to Theo. “What do you think… of this situation?” she asked, her voice more composed now.

After a pause, Theo replied, “I… honestly don’t know how to respond to this.”

“I should try calling the cops, right?” Lily said, more like a suggestion than a question. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed emergency services.

The phone rang. And rang. But no one picked up.

She tried again. And again. Nothing.

“Why aren’t they answering?” she whispered under her breath, frustration growing.

Maybe it’s all over… Maybe it’s not just here… Maybe we’re not the only ones seeing these things… Maybe…

Theo’s thoughts were interrupted by Lily calling out to him again.

“Take a look at this,” she said, holding her phone up to his face. She had been scrolling for answers and found something—the news.

Both of them watched, horrified, as the dim light from the phone screen lit up their tense expressions.

“We are all advised to stay indoors,” the reporter began. “Regarding the current situation occurring outside, gray-colored creatures have been spotted across the country causing havoc. Earlier today, a mysterious purple smoke enveloped the entire world. Here is a satellite image taken at exactly 6:48 CAT.”

An image of the Earth wrapped in purple haze appeared on screen.

“By exactly 6:50, people began transforming into these gray creatures. Questions are being sent to our experts, but none are available to respond. Our best advice is: stay indoors, at all costs.”

With that, the screen went black.

Theo’s thoughts spiraled into further chaos.

“Stay indoors”? That made no sense… The fog had seeped into the café with ease. What if one of them turned? What then?

Lily had her palm over her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief. She shook her head slowly, refusing to accept what she’d just seen.

Staying inside wasn’t a real option. What if they—or I—turn? Wait… she said people started turning by 6:50. But it’s been at least half an hour since then… and nothing’s happened to us. Could we be immune? Could others be, too? The reporter on the screen didn’t look infected… Was she immune?

His thoughts came to a screeching halt.

Emma.

His legs moved on instinct, carrying him toward the stairs before he even realized what he was doing.

But just as he reached them, a hand grabbed him, and he turned almost mechanically to see who had stopped him.

“Whatever you do,” Lily said, her voice like a dagger to the chest, “don’t go up there. You’ll kill us all.”

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