Sam is asleep in bed, dreaming. In the dream, he moves through the woods and finds an alien building. He phases through the wall and finds himself inside. Within it, there is a horrifying, somewhat angelic being.
Ezrai: Hello Samantha. You will come into these woods and find this building. (Visuals go with text.) Here you will find your purpose. I have a gift for you, Samantha. COME HERE!
Sam startles awake. He sits up and looks outside. He sluggishly sits up. He presses his hand against the window.
Sam, internal monologue: It’s sort of warm.
He stares out the window. It’s early spring. The sun is shining and the last patches of snow on the ground are melting.Sam, internal monologue: It’s a nice day. You might as well.
He gets dressed, prepared for it to be somewhat chilly in a t-shirt, a hoodie, and jeans. He stares at his reflection in the full-length mirror that sits on his bedroom floor. He seems to be admiring his own appearance. Then he uncomfortably adjusts his shirt.
Sam walks through his backyard and into the woods. This forest is on its last stand against the surrounding suburbs. Sam pushes through honeysuckle as he enters and begins his trek to the alien structure.
As he walks, he notices the others beginning walk beside him. First Adam, the one who lives closest to him. Adam waves in a friendly manner and Sam waves back politely before avoiding looking at them.
Slowly they come upon Suzan, Regina, and Eloise. They all exchange glances and little waves, and continue walking.
Sam is uncomfortable. He mostly avoids looking at the others.
Eventually, they arrive at the alien structure. It is strange looking, and out of place in the clearing. They all gaze upon it in wonder.
Sam, internal monologue: What the fuck…?
Adam: Um… Can y’all see this as well?
Suzan: Yeah. I- I saw this in a dream and… needed to come here.
They all look around at each other.
Adam: I think we need to go in.
There is a moment of silent hesitance. Eventually, Adam opens the door and they all make their way inside.
The inside contains a giant computer on the wall, a table and chairs, a door leading to what appears to be a bathroom, and, standing in front of them, what appears to be a cow, but… wrong. This is Ezrai.
Suzan: What the hell?
Ezrai: Welcome children. I am Ezrai, a being from the heavens. I have taken this form to make it easier for your minds to withstand my presence.
Sam, internal monologue: Hmm. This must be some kind of fucked-up dream.
All the kids are looking back and forth from the alien to each other with expressions conveying various kinds of confusion, trying to gauge from each other how they’re supposed to react and if this is real.
Ezrai: You all have been chosen. Other beings have come here, monsters from another dimension. They have chosen to build their invasion here, in your town. You all must fight them and save yourselves. It is your destiny.
The others look concerned and confused, but Adam looks almost enthusiastic.
Ezrai: You will work as a team to accomplish this. To do it, you shall be blessed with powers to help you fight.
From the ground several bowls of liquid sprout, and from Ezrai’s cow-chest sprouts a human-looking arm.
Ezrai: Adam, come forth.
Adam steps forward proudly. This others look afraid.
Suzan, hissing: What are you doing?!
Ezrai dips her hand in one bowl and then spreads the liquid across Adam’s forehead. Adam grins.
Ezrai: You have been gifted the power of inhuman speed, as well as the power to withstand the damage that that speed would usually do to your body.
Adam, jittery with excitement: Thank you.
Adam steps back, barely holding a grin.
Adam’s bowl sinks back into the ground.
Ezrai: Suzan, come forth.
Suzan looks confused and uncomfortable, but she steps forward with confidence. Ezrai dips her hand in a different bowl and spreads the liquid on Suzan’s forehead. Suzan looks repulsed.
Ezrai: You have been gifted with the power of shape-shifting. This power can extend to any object that is directly touching your skin, if you so choose.
Suzan awkwardly gives a polite smile and steps back uncomfortably.
Suzan’s bowl sinks back into the ground.
Ezrai: Regina, come forth.
Regina steps forward stiffly. Ezrai dips her hand into a different bowl and spreads the liquid across Regina’s forehead.Ezrai: You have been gifted the power of invisibility.
Regina looks slightly bothered.
Ezrai: This power can extend to anything that is directly touching your skin, if you so choose.
Regina steps back.
Regina’s bowl sinks back into the ground.
Ezrai: Samantha, come forth.
Sam stiffens. He take a few steps forward. Ezrai dips her hand in the bowl and spreads the liquid on Sam’s forehead. He cringes.
Ezrai: You have been gifted the power of telekinesis.
Sam, mumbling inaudibly: Thanks.
Sam steps back and stands close to the wall.
Sam’s bowl sinks back into the ground.
Ezrai: Eloise, come forth.
Eloise steps forward nervously, her arms crossed over her chest. Ezrai dips her hand into the last bowl and spreads the liquid across her forehead.
Ezrai: You have been gifted the power of illusion,
Eloise winces slightly at that.
Ezrai: creating audio and visual hallucinations in the minds of others.
Eloise nods slightly. She steps back.
The last bowl sinks back into the ground.
Ezrai: Your powers will take a day or so to begin working. During this time, you may feel a bit unwell. That will go away as soon as your powers are ready to be used. They may also cause some minor changes in your bodies, though negative side effects should be minimal.
She pauses and looks around at the group. The group glance nervously at one another.
Ezrai: Now, you must never tell anyone about this.
Sam, internal monologue: Oh, that’s how it is. (Sam narrows his eyes slightly at that.)
Ezrai: This building, and the monsters to come, are only visible to those who have been told about them, for they are hidden by a psychic barrier. And if people see them, the monsters will attack them. If you tell someone willingly, that psychic barrier will be dropped for them. They will see everything.
However, anyone can see your powers. You must not let them. If any person outside of this group finds out about what’s going on here, they will be in grave danger. And if they decide to tell the press, to tell people who may try and study your powers, you will be in grave danger too.
She pauses a moment. Everybody knows that they’re all screwed.
Ezrai: You should also consider connecting your handheld computers- "phones"- to this computer here, so that it can notify you when a monster is nearby, and you can deal with it. The computer will instruct you on how to do that. It will also contain some other information for you.
Again, a brief pause, to make sure everyone understands.
Ezrai: Now, you should disperse and try to go about the rest of your day today as normal.
She sinks into the ground teleports away. The teleporter in the floor lights up as it activates.
The kids all look at the ground, and then at each other. They don’t know what to do.
Adam: Should we… do what it said with the computer?
All the others look at them with sort of bewildered expressions.
Suzan: Later. Maybe tomorrow.
Everyone shuffles around before awkwardly dispersing.
Adam: Uh- See you all tomorrow, then.
Sam walks home, still completely bewildered.
He arrives back home. He kicks off his shoes. His mom is making breakfast in the kitchen.
Mom: Did you go on a morning walk?
Sam: Uh- Uh-huh.
Mom: Well, you got back just in time! Breakfast is almost ready.
Sam: Ok.
He sits down at the table.
Sam is sitting at his desk doing schoolwork. He’s chewing on his pencil. He’s sweating a bit more than he should be. The pages begin to blur. He rubs his eyes and stands up. He sways a bit and grabs onto his chair.
He stumbles to the kitchen, holding a water bottle from his desk. He refills it from the sink. His mom comes in from outside, clearly having been gardening.
Sam: Hey, mom? I’m feeling kinda sick.
Mom: Sick how?
Sam: I feel sort of- cold and lightheaded. I think I need to lie down.
Mom: Do you need to bring a bowl?
Sam, hand on his forehead: I dunno. That might be a good idea.
His mom digs around and finds the vomit bowl. She hands it to him.
Sam: Thanks.
He holds the bowl in one hand and his water in the other and makes his way to bed.
He curls up in bed with the bowl nearby and his water on the windowsill. He stares at his distorted reflection in the sides of the metal bowl. He shivers and curls up under the covers. He grabs his phone off of the nightstand, still plugged in, and turns towards it. He puts on a show to watch. He’s already looking quite bad. Slowly, he closes his eyes.
Sam is sprawled out on his bed, half-asleep. He’s staring at the ceiling as the patterns dance and warp in his vision, turning into faces.
Sam, internal monologue: What day is it?
He grabs his phone and checks it. It’s the same day, just a bit into the evening.
Sam, internal monologue: It’s still today.
Sam: -groan-
He looks outside and sees that it’s getting dark. Blearily, he stares at the woods.
Sam, internal monologue: This is exactly what that thing said would happen, wasn’t it? This morning… was that real? I’m pretty sure that was a dream. Did my dream predict that I would be sick? It was a dream. Did I imagine it? Must’ve dreamed it just now, when I was napping. What did I do this morning?
He rolls over and curls into the fetal position.
Sam, internal monologue: Hurts… everything hurts. I’m so fucking hungry and I can’t get up and I can’t eat.
He closes his eyes.
He drifts into a feverish semi-sleep through the night.
Sam opens his eyes and looks around. Everything looks normal again. He sits up.
Sam, internal monologue: Am I better now?
He grabs his water bottle, takes off the cap, and drinks most of it all at once. He gets out of bed. He’s still wearing his clothes from yesterday.
His stomach gurgles loudly.
Sam, internal monologue: I’m really hungry.
He stumbles out of the room and out into the main area of the house. He makes his way to the kitchen. His mom is already up making coffee.
Mom: You feeling any better this morning?
Sam: Yeah. I think this must’ve been one of those one-day viruses.
He finds a cereal bar and wolfs it down. He tosses the wrapper in the trash and continues digging for food. He grabs several more and begins eating them in quick succession.
Mom: You must really be feeling better.
Sam, through a mouthful of chips: ‘M hungry.
He pours himself a mug of juice and drinks it all.
Mom: You should probably change out of those clothes and take a shower.
Sam: Yeah.
Sam, internal monologue: I’m still hungry.
He goes back to his room. He picks out some fresh clothes and walks to the bathroom. He gets in the shower.
As he’s showering, he remembers the previous morning.
Sam, internal monologue: You should go back there this morning and see if that really was a dream. - Yeah, I should.
He finishes his shower and gets dressed.
He makes his way to the kitchen and grabs another cereal bar, which he quickly eats before discarding the wrapper. At this point, his siblings are up and about in the house. He has his phone in his pocket. He puts his shoes on.
Sam: Hey, mom? I’m gonna go on a walk.
Mom: Alright.
He slips out the back door and walks through the backyard. He makes his way through the woods. It’s even warmer than yesterday.
Eventually, he comes upon the structure.
Sam, internal monologue: It was real. Is this real?
He walks inside.
Suzan, Adam, and Eloise are already there. Bubbles pop up showing what Sam already knows about each of them.
Sam, internal monologue: I hadn’t been paying attention before, but I do know all of these people.
Knowledge bubble: "Suzan: Overachiever. Super involved in a bunch of different co-ops."
"Adam: Super friendly, a bit younger than me. Don’t see him much. Goes to all the social gatherings at the co-op. I don’t socialize much."
"Eloise: Moved here recently-ish. My parents have talked to her parents. I’ve said hi to her once."
Suzan, somehow both calm and intense: There you are! We’re just waiting for Regina now. Do you have your phone? We’re exchanging contact information.
Sam is bothered by how calm she seems.
Sam, internal monologue: Well, *she’s* taken to the situation well.
Sam: Uh- Mh-hmm.
He walks towards them.
Suzan: Tell me your number and I’ll add you to the group chat.
Sam pulls up his own contact information and points to it. Suzan looks at it and then types it in.
Suzan: Alright, I’ve added you. (Pause) Once Regina gets here, we can work on getting our phones connected to that thing. (She gestures to the computer.) I’ve already been messing with it, trying to figure it out.
Sam: Mmm. (Acknowledging)
Adam: This is all pretty wild, huh? It’s exciting.
Sam: Mh-hmm.
Sam, internal monologue: That’s one way to put it.
Sam watches as Suzan messes with the computer and scribbles down notes in a notebook.
Adam: So, we live pretty close together, how come we haven’t talked more?
Sam shrugs.
Adam: Actually, you don’t seem like you talk much at all.
Sam half-grimaces and half-smiles politely.
Adam: Hey, that’s alright! I can talk enough for the both of us.
Sam, internal monologue: Please don’t.
Regina shows up. Again, a bubble pops up for Sam’s previous knowledge of her.
Knowledge bubble: "Regina: Has some sort of disability, I think. I haven’t really talked to her much, I think our parents know each other."
Suzan, shutting her notebook: Great, we’re all here! Regina, I’ll add you to the group chat, and then let’s get this set up.
Regina looks bewildered.