She was completely alone. No people, no animals, not even a mosquito. Going down into the bunker, she believed everything would be the same when she resurfaced and that the siren would have been a false alarm. When she sensed the profound stillness about her, it was obvious that the world had changed.

Barreling through the screen of her front door, Sarah dashed down the porch stairs. She took a breather a few steps away from the house. The sky remained clear. The grass remained green. Sarah attempted to think of an explanation for what was going on, but nothing came to her. Everything in the world disappeared for no apparent reason. Was this a nightmare? If it was a dream, it was the most realistic one she'd ever had. Sarah slapped herself three times. She knew she wasn't dreaming about the agony she felt with each blow.

A burst of light appeared over the Mores house. Was that a flash of lightning? Was it a reflection? Sarah was unsure. Mr. Mores was out of town, but Sarah felt certain that his son Jordan was safe in the family bunker. Sarah raced the quarter-mile to her neighbors' house in a minute and a half, driven by the sound of her pulse beating.

"Jordan!" Sarah screamed as she banged on the door, but there was no response.

Bang!

The door flew open. Metal smashed into wood, causing Sarah to leap back. Adrenaline kicked her, and she released five punches all at once. She swung with all her might, intent on causing damage to... When she looked around, she realized no one was there. The wind, which had previously seized possession of the door, now opened and closed it erratically. Sarah inhaled deeply, glanced around, then exhaled loudly before crossing the threshold. Sarah took tiny steps inside the room, closing the door behind her.

"Jordan," Sarah whispered as she walked through the house.

"Jordan." Sarah's voice grew increasingly loud.

"Jordan. Jordan, are you here?" There was no response. Sarah was confident that no one was in the house as the second passed. The ambiance was unsettling. She got the uncomfortable feeling that she was being watched, despite the fact that she was strangely alone.

"What the heck is going on?" Sarah wondered aloud. She stopped on her way out of the house to take one last glance around. The house seemed to be normal and intact. In the entrance, a silver umbrella tin was holding a yellow umbrella. The white pillows sat upright on the living room's L-shaped couch, facing the TV. The dining room table had been set for a feast. Sweet potatoes were sitting next to creamed spinach, steak, and a slice of chocolate cake.

Sarah searched for explanations by talking to herself.

“What happened here. The alarm sounded. I entered the bunker. Everyone very likely went into their bunkers.”

Sarah stopped, thinking she heard a noise. The sound appeared to be nearing the Mores house's front door. The ruckus came to a halt as Sarah stared at the door.

“Why is there food on the table?” Sarah reflected, her gaze returning to the dining room.

"Jordan?" Sarah murmured again. As if in response, the front room door burst open, the metal knob splintering the wood of the house walls. Sarah's mind raced as she attempted to make sense of what was going on. While the space in front of the door seems to be vacant, an invisible force was there. The air wrinkled, the light refracted, and shrieks erupted from the blank space. Sarah bolted. A force struck Sarah in the back as she grabbed for the backdoor's handle, sending her sprawling across the yard. Sarah was certain then. She was no longer alone.