THEY

Nothing has been the same since They came. From the moment They surfaced the world went berserk. Local church leaders called it the last judgement. Others called it an alien invasion. Some even called it an experiment gone wrong. The crazies called them vampires and other mythological creatures. But in all reality. No one knows what THEY are. Wherever They go nothing remains. Every living- breathing- thing disappears. They first appeared in northern Canada, quickly mass murdering towns moving south. Then reports started popping up all around the world. As if they were burrowed under ground waiting for the right moment to rise up.

I watched from my perch in an oak tree , as my brothers checked in on the group. It was a fairly small group that consisted of two other families quite like our own.

There was the Hernandez family. Jose, Sophia, and their 2 children. Josefina and Rosa.

Jose was a plump little man, with a leathery face built around his horse shoe mustache. Sophia on the other hand, filled out her brown house dress nicely. You wouldn’t guess she was a day over 30. Twins Josefina and Rosa were lucky enough to have their mothers facial features, but cursed with their fathers metabolism.

The Johnson family. that consisted of John, Stacey, and their daughter Veronica.

John looked to be in his 50s while his wife Stacey looked far younger. Veronica was a beautiful. Short brown hair. Blue eyed girl. who looked to be in her 20s, and not to quick to call Stacey mom.

Then theirs our family. The Kane’s.

There was my older brother Michael, our younger brother Bradley, our sister Lilly, and me, Ben. The black sheep of my family.

Michael was 25, short, stalky, and dirty blonde. The only thing we shared in common is the fact that we are 2 years apart.

Bradley was 15, short, red hair, and a freckled face little turd. The only thing he cared about before THEY came was his hair, and how many likes he got on Instagram.

Lilly was pretty much Michael with tits. 17, short blonde hair, same arrogance, humor, and boyish charm. The only thing she cared for was herself, and it has only got worse since THEY came. Then there's me. Benjamin Kane. Average in every way. Dark hair, brown eyed. Normal guy. At least what I feel is normal. Some people beg to differ. People like Michael .

I could see Michael approaching from the distance.

Trying to keep myself as calm and quiet as possible. I asked. “Is everyone ok ?”

“Yeah everyone's ok. “ Michael responded. “The Hernandez family is a little shaken up, but then again I think everyone is, after all the events that have transpired.”

I could tell Michael was trying to keep himself together.

“are you ok?.” I asked

“Yes. I mean no. I mean after everything we saw today. I'm a little shaken up, and after all the walking we've done. I'm tired and hungry, but I don't see anyone else around here who's got their shit together enough to lead our group at the moment. So to answer your question. I'm okay. I have to be okay. What about you? Are you okay Ben? You've been quite for the past 7 hours. Back at the house I could never get you to shut up for longer then a second.”

“Yeah I'm okay. I just don't have anything to say. I can't believe we literally watched people dying Michael. People we all know. People that we've grown up with in that town, and we couldn't do anything about it. So I just needed a moment to process everything. How's Lilly and Brad taking it?”

“They're fine. They're keeping themselves busy to keep their mind off stuff. Anyways what are you doing up there anyhow? Do you honestly think being off the ground is going to save you from these things?”.

We both chuckled. It was the first laugh we shared in long time.

“No” I replied trying to calm down my laughter. I'm trying to keep an eye out for them. But who knows they could already be out there Just staring at me. Waiting for the right time to take me into the darkness.”

“Let's hope they do.” Michael stated sarcastically.” I'm heading back. Are you coming, or are you going to stick with being tree bate for the night?”

“Yeah I'll catch up with you in a second. I just need another minute to process everything.”

“Alright I'll see you back at the shelter then. Just don't take too long. The families want to eat and have a meeting to discuss a plan to get us to the air base in warrenton.”

“Alright. I'll make it quick.”

“You better if you want to eat. Everyone's starved. Might find yourself eating dog shit because your plate went missing.”

“Ok ok I get it. Im coming down”

Everyone seemed cold and shell shocked around the space heater.

“Shouldn't we build a fire” Stacy stated while her teeth chattered.

Michaels eyes rolled into the back of his head as he turned to answer her question.

“No.” responded Michael. We can't risk drawing attention to ourselves. We have no idea how THEY are tracking us down, and the last thing we want to do is blow smoke signals of our location so Mrs. Warbucks can keep her warmth. Be lucky we found this piece of shit thing.”

“You better watch your mouth pigfucker!” shouted John.

“That's my wife you're speaking to! You better show her some god damn respect before I teach it to you! Who made you in charge anyways! Cause I sure in the hell didn't vote on that! The last thing we need is a pig fucking farm boy leading us to certain death!”

Michael chuckled at the thought of Mr Johnson actually getting out of his chair.

“Pig fucker huh?” Michael stated with a laughable grin.

“That's kind of funny considering the fact you're wife is the only one fucking pigs in this room.”

Mr Johnson went to stand, but only got an inch off the seat before Lilly forced him back down from his shoulders.

“Listen John.” Lilly muttered in his ear while clutching his shoulders.

“You'll get your chance to speak, but till then. Keep your mouth shut and listen to my brother. Or were going to have to teach you some manners.”

As Lilly's hands forcefully pushed away from Mr Johnson’s shoulders

Mr Johnson stuttered.

“You.. you.. bitch! Who the fuck do you think you people are? Do you not know who I am? Do you forget who practically owns this town? Do you not see the repercussions to your actions?

“What repercussions?” I shouted. “We have no town to return to right now. We go back there and were as good as dead. Your social status has no meaning at the moment. Your money has no purpose. What you need to do is to get on board with the rest of us, and stop feeling so entitled or else you're going to die. I've seen these things up close. I've seen what they do to people like you and i. Like all of us. They'd have a field day with you fatso. They'd start right at your gut and eat you while you were still alive. So while you're slowly dying in pain, feeling their teeth crush your bones and rip off your flesh. Try throwing your money at them then. See how much they give a Fuck.”

The room fell silent with awkward tension.

To be continued....