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The sirens are blaring as we shut the blinds and lock the doors. We do not even make a noise as we move, as our house moves with the force of the wind. They are here. I look over at my ma. Her brows are furrowed and pursing her lips. She looks over at me with tears in her eyes. I know what she is thinking as I'm thinking the same thing. This is where one of us could lose the other. This day, anyone could lose anyone. You don't even dare utter the name of those who come to hurt, to kill, to maim.
I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes, and I know. How could it? I may die tonight. If one of the creatures finds us… Well, I hope they don't find anyone else and leave. But they always kill more than one before they move on from earth. Always the same amount, 159784. Why that number know one knows, but we never know when the last one is killed. The sky darkens as they appear. I look over at my mother, the last person I wish to see dead, to see with no life in her eyes. I mouth love you and she does it back. As we move silently through the house to the bathroom, the one place without windows. They are less likely to find us there, no windows makes it safe. So does under the bed, but I know people were found there but almost never in the bathroom. And never go to the shelter, you are more likely to die there. People suspect that the governments used it as a way to bargain as they are always hit first.
The door almost squeaks but we stopped the door in time. We move in silently and swiftly, almost in tears and our hearts pounding. We send a silent prayer to anyone who might be listening, praying that we both survive. Since we wish neither of us to die and I hope they don't land in my town. I hope they land on the other side of the world. Some think it's selfish to wish others to die before me, before my mother; but I think everyone is but those who wish to save others and run into the street hoping that there are enough of them. But there never is. Never.
I look over at my mother and mouth one more time. I love you. As the sirens go quiet in the background, they've reached Earth. I pray to whoever is listening, please do not let my mom die or me.
As the night comes and the screams all around us continue we pray that we aren't discovered, that they don't go into our house. That we survive. We only wish to survive. And isn't that sad.