INVASION

The rhythmic beat of blades overwhelms my sensory as a form emerges in the dark sky. "I didn't get your name?" I question. "It's Jon." he replies, grabbing his radio and keys from what I imagine is his truck. And like music to my ears, the two-way comes to life with a voice, "Red Fox, we are 1 mile west of your location, inbound hot for extraction."

Whooooosh. Instantly my heart sinks. I know that sound from when I was deployed overseas. And then I see that light trail directly in line with our rescue. No!... BOOM! The intensity of the blast sends us to the ground. A gut-wrenching sound of uncontrolled tail spin now replaces the beautiful rhythm from minutes earlier. Time slows down. Thump. Thuump. Thuuump. Thuuuuump. It hits the ground with force throwing debris everywhere. The smell of burning fuel and field implants itself into my psyche with the force of a thousand suns. We need to move!

"Jon, where's the safe bunker?" I yell. "Jon? Jon?!" But there is no response. His body is cold and lifeless, impaled with debris as blood pools beneath him. I can see figures in the distance moving my way. No time to be sentimental as I grab his radio and keys. I'm on my own again. Firing up the old truck, I plant the pedal firmly to the floor and fly through the gears down the dark road with panic in full swing. I need to find safety.