Chapter 24: The Exodus

A sob escaped Vesta’s shocked body as the visor continued to translate.

“An extrasolar object the size of Iphillis traveled with such velocity that when it hit Earth, it exposed the mantle and outer core.”

Vesta couldn’t breathe. She fell to her knees, still staring at the shattered planet.

“...knocking the planet of Earth off its orbit and causing a complete “boiling off” of its atmosphere.”

Earth was gone. The house on the cul de sac, the sandbox, and the apple tree…gone.

Vesta folded down to the floor, reliving that last day of her planet. That was why Rycer and his jet simply pulled people into their ship, she realized. There had been no more time.

Rycer’s hands gently but firmly grabbed her shoulders and helped her stand up.

“Earth,” Vesta gasped, pointing at the floating rubble.