I dedicate this chapter to Skywings2424 because I said so. :3 You're awesome!

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You might know about Pangaea, and how Alfred Wegener discovered plate tectonics. What you might not know is what happened because of it; the price we have to pay today.

So, my name is Pheonix Tucker and I'm a sixteen year-old girl. I live in a small town in Oregon. I have brown hair and stormy gray eyes. Also, people say I'm smart. I guess that's true because I'm in advanced classes with high grades.

I have two siblings; one older brother who's in college named Austin and one younger sister who's in elementary school named Crystalline. I think I got lucky in the sibling department because we don't argue much. In fact, when I found out there was this guy who bullied Crystalline, I, well, let's just say he would never bully her, or anyone, again as long as I was alive.

The year is 3467; technology hasn't increased much since the 21st century because we can't afford it. World Wars have been occurring more often, taking all of the world's money. Right now, we just finished World War 9 and came out victorious. We were lucky, to be honest. We were lucky that many of the other side's soldiers were traitors and bombed themselves.

Anyway, back to today. I was going about my homework when the TV show my mom was watching was interrupted with a very important newscast. Even the televisions that were off turned on to show the newscast!

"And this is Channel Ten News with an important announcement," the reporter began. "So, as evidence suggested, plate tectonics, Alfred Wegner's old theory, has sped up because of a mysterious force. That force has been proven to be the volcano covers the little boy from Alabama invented."

Like I said, not much.

"The magma needed to find another way out, so it came out through the seafloor, pushing the continents towards each other. The continents are now on a crash course. They are estimated to collide tomorrow. We do not know what to do about this to survive and minimize the casualties, but the world has to work together. This is Bryce Ross, on Ten News."

It was silent in the house. Well, the people were silent. Phones started blaring with notifications of the sort in case someone wasn't home and from friends and relatives.

I saw a text from Austin.

Guys, u ok
We need 2 do something

I replied:

Were ok... I agree but what can we do

I saw his reply:

I was going 2 surprise you with a visit, but i guess that helped... Were together

As soon as I read that text, I heard the doorbell. "Mom, it's Austin," I told her as she wondered what it was.

When I answered the door with Mom, I saw people running around like crazy and screaming like there was no tomorrow. Technically, we're not sure if there is a tomorrow.

"Oh, hi, Austin! Come on in!" Mom said as if that news story didn't just occur on TV.

"No, come on out," he said. "We need to protect ourselves and get ready for what the world wants of us."

"Alright, I just thought that being inside and away from the people who would likely steal our lives would be safer," Mom said. "CRYSTALLINE!!!" she shouted. "COME OVER HERE!!!"

She raced down the stairs, joining us. "Is this about the news story?" she asked, her blue eyes staring at Mom.

"Nope. You were wrong. Come on," he urged.

We ran outside, watching panicking neighbors and some people I've never even seen before. I saw an angered stranger attack one of my friendly neighbors, and it became a high-speed chase. There was no way I would've been fast enough to keep up.

"To my car!" Austin exclaimed, opening the driver door.

People turned at the sudden noise and some looked like they wanted to get in, but he drove us out of there as fast as he could.

"Where are we going?" Mom asked.

"Away from there!"

"Any ideas where to go?"

"Stock up in the grocery store!" I interjected. "Sure, people freaking out will be there, but we need things in case of the worst!

"I like that idea," Austin said, looking at Mom for permission.

"Whatever, just be quick."

"May I speak?" Crystalline asked in her innocent, adorable manner.

"Go ahead," I told her.

"I think that we should do that, then be watching our TV and phones for any updates on the story."

"I like that idea," I agreed, not only to boost confidence this time. It may have been a simple and easy answer to reach, but a good one nonetheless.

"So, that's where I'm going?" Austin wondered. "I have to choose where to turn."

"And pick up Dad at work!" Crystalline exclaimed.

"He has his own car. He can drive himself home," Austin told her.

"Well, okay," Crystalline said.

The car was silent on the way there; partly because we didn't want to miss an update, partly because we had nothing to say.

After we arrived, I saw broken windows, a small fire, and, inside was a whole bunch of lunatics trying to take things for themselves.

Stealing things from one another and from the shelves, people were fighting for items considered good. The workers were either long gone or in the fight themselves.

I asked, "Ready?"

"Yeah," came Crystalline's reply I hadn't wanted to hear. I couldn't let her in there. I thought I just saw one die. There was no doubt in my mind that a third grader would get killed in there, let alone one with desired items.

Luckily, Austin told her for me, and in a much nicer way than I would've. "We need you to stay behind and watch the car," he said gently. Her shoulders slumped. "Hey, it's an important job!" That made her a little less disappointed.

"Alright... A plan?" I wondered.

"I think you should help her with that important job," he said, leaning in. He whispered, "She might need a protector here, too. Who knows what these lunatics would eat?"

I felt my shoulders slump much like hers. "I wanted to help!" I said, feeling a bit like a child, especially with my response.

"And you are. Trust me." With that, he and Mom ran into the store, and I lost them in the blood and mobs.

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"I'm worried," Crystalline finally broke the silence. "Shouldn't they be back by now?"

"No, they're fine, Crystalline," I comforted her. I even added in the dumb-sounding voice that she loves: "Hey, that rhymed!" She laughed a little.

As I was about to lose all of my hope, I saw familiar shapes running away from there as fast as they could. It looked like Austin was limping. I saw each of them carried two bags.

"Are you okay?" I asked them as they approached and I saw that Austin was, in fact, limping.

"Yeah, just got a little scratch," he told us.

That seemed to calm a worrying Crystalline, but that didn't calm me. A little scratch doesn't make you limp that bad, and he winced with each step. I know he could tell that I didn't buy it, and was grateful for not making Crystalline worried by pointing that out out loud.

As we filed back into the car, I asked, "Do you think Dad is home already?"

"We'll see, sweetie," Mom said.

The rest of the ride was silent except the wind's whistles.

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I saw his car in the driveway. We all ran inside.

"Daddy!" Crystalline called out as he stretched his arms out for a hug.

"Hey, my little Crystal!"

After he finished his greeting, the TV turned on for an update.

"This is Bryce Ross on Ten News with an important update to today's important story."

"We have confirmed that the continents are going to be colliding within the next hour now, and may God bless the little boy who created the volcano covers. He only tried to help. Upon hearing this devastating news announcement that he himself had started, he committed suicide off of his ten story mansion balcony."

Oh my God. The continents will be colliding within the next hour and a little boy committed suicide.

"Be prepared for anything to happen, for we don't have the scientific advancements to predict when this will happen and what exactly will happen. This us Bryce Ross for Ten News." The TV shut off and the phones started vibrating with notifications.

I saw blood on Austin's jeans, but that was the last clear thing I saw then because—

The ground stopped—it was how I would imagine feeling if the world stopped rotating—then there was shaking, then there was vibrating and sliding in one direction.