Blue Star Protocol

As Lucy stepped into the warehouse the scene before her was a chaotic symphony of survival. People huddled together in small groups, their faces etched with fear and exhaustion. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and gasoline, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. Around them, the world outside raged with the fury of the apocalypse.

Pete, her old friend, led her through the crowd, his expression grim. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Lucy," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the din of panicked whispers. "We're all just trying to make it through this nightmare."

Lucy nodded, her heart heavy with grief for her mother and concern for her son. She scanned the faces around her, searching for familiar features among the sea of strangers. Her mind raced with questions: Where was Ethan? Was he safe?

Finally, Pete ushered her to a corner of the fueling station where a group of survivors had gathered. Among them was Mr. Jennings, the town's mechanic, his hands stained with grease and blood. He greeted Lucy with a weary smile. "Glad to see you made it, Lucy," he said, his voice rough with exhaustion.

And there he was, Ethan, his familiar face a beacon of relief amidst the turmoil. She rushed to his side, enveloping him in a tight embrace, her arms trembling with emotion.

"Ethan, thank God you're safe," Lucy whispered, her voice choked with tears. "I've been so worried about you."

Ethan returned her hug, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "Mom, what's going on? Everything is falling apart." he said, his voice trembling with fear.

Lucy pulled back slightly, her gaze meeting her son's. "I wish I had all the answers, Ethan," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "But the truth is, I don't know. Something terrible has happened, something that's turned our world upside down."

"Grandpa h...he, i couldn't, i...i watched him.... those things... monsters." His voice, barely a whisper broke with every word.

Not allowing him to say anymore she pulled him closer into her hug.

Around them, the others were quiet, silence taking over the warehouse.

' Everyone here must have lost someone." Lucy said in her mind as she noticed the solemn and quiet atmosphere.

Then the first person dropped, making a loud thud and the silence turned eerie. Almost immediately another person dropped, and then the next, and another like puppets whose strings had been cut everyone in the shelter started dropping like a messily arranged dominos.

Lucy hurriedly checked on Ethan only to find he was unconscious, his weight fully pressed against her.

Eventually she felt it too, her legs felt weaker as upper body felt heavier, she dropped to her knees resisting the sweet call of nothingness encroaching her consciousness.

It was subtle at first but slowly Lucy begin to notice. The air itself was taking a pale blue hue as everything else begin gaining a blue outline.

Lucy froze. She wasn't unfamiliar with this color. She had read about it, the world had made such a big deal about this several years ago and most importantly she had seen it when it was her turn to answer the call.

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[##############Just who do you think you are ########]

[#######Know your place#######]

[ Soul system attempting to assimilate]

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" Can't catch a break can i ?" Lucy whispered as she too succumbed to the darkness.