2

It was the weekend. Emily was bored.

“Mo. Mo…” A cry of frustration rang out, before Emily tried again.

“Mother!”

Footsteps were loud as the mother appeared. “What is it Emily?”

“Can you and big brother play with me tomorrow? It’s too cold today”

The mother thought on it. She was busy, however not too busy. She could simply push back her work till the day after tomorrow. She nodded before shouting at Damien to get ready on said day. But as the mother was about to leave, she was stopped by Emily.

“I… I heard big brother speaking over the phone. It sounded suspicious. There were words like coast is clear, or experiment”

A laugh erupted from the mother as she dismissed the words. “You’re so silly pumpkin!” she said, pinching Emily's cheeks.

“No mom. Listen! It’s true! It’s true!”

The mother was startled at the outburst. Her thoughts were now running wild like her heart. She initially thought of it as a joke, but with Emily insisting… Could it be true?

The day passed slowly, but surely. It was the afternoon when they got ready and headed out for some bonding. Damien was grumbling and standing awkwardly, while Emily was being pushed by her mom on the swing.

The girl slid on her headphones. Just when the mom stopped, she started screaming.

“Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry!”

“Wait, what are you sorry for?!” the mom shouted. But Emily refused to say anymore.

Seconds later, they were interrupted by the sound of a helicopter.The mother was confused. “What’s a helicopter doing here? Let’s go kids, we wouldn’t want to get in the way!”

As she was ushering her two kids, she stopped upon realizing the convenient timing and Emily’s words from earlier. “Wait… Damien? Are you stupid?! How could you?!”

“What?! No!”

Before she could say anymore, they were snatched out of thin air. Their surprise was replaced by horror, as they screamed.

Damien’s face was stretched with rage. “Emily! Emily! Wait, it can’t be?!”