The Nightmares Begin

Chapter 2: The Nightmares Begin

I am Ethan Cross.

An average high school student.

Living in a normal world.

Or at least, that's what I thought.

Because at 5 PM today, my life—no, the world itself—changed forever.

A Crack in the Sky

It started with a single tremor.

I was in my room, lying on my bed, scrolling through my phone like usual when the floor beneath me shuddered. At first, I thought it was just a mild earthquake. Nothing too unusual.

But then the second tremor hit.

Stronger. Violent.

The whole house groaned, like it was being shaken by some unseen force.

"What the hell…?" I muttered, standing up.

Then—

BOOM!

A loud, deafening explosion rang through the air. My window rattled violently, and a few books on my shelf toppled over. My heart jumped into my throat.

What the hell was that?!

Rushing to my window, I grabbed the edge of the frame and peeked outside.

And that's when I saw it.

The sky… was breaking.

A massive, jagged hole had formed above the city, stretching across the clouds like a crack in glass. But it wasn't just a hole—it was a void, pitch-black and endless, swirling with unnatural energy.

It looked wrong, like something that shouldn't exist.

I had no idea what was happening.

My mind refused to process it.

The world I had known for seventeen years was shattering before my eyes.

Panic Sets In

I stumbled back from the window, my chest tight with panic.

"Mom?! Lina?!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

I ran out of my room, racing down the stairs, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs.

"Mom! Lina!"

I found them in the living room, standing near the TV. My mom had her arms wrapped around my little sister, who was shaking like a leaf.

"Oh, thank God," I gasped, running to them.

"Ethan, what's happening?" Mom's voice was filled with worry. "Why is the ground shaking? What was that noise?"

"I—I don't know," I stammered, still trying to catch my breath. "I just—there's something in the sky. A hole or something."

Lina clutched onto Mom's dress. Her big, tear-filled eyes turned to me.

"Big brother… I'm scared."

I didn't know what to say.

Because I was scared too.

My phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket, making me jolt.

A call.

My father.

With shaking hands, I picked up.

"Hello? Dad?"

"Ethan! Are you okay? Is your mother and Lina safe?"

"We're okay," I said quickly, glancing at them. "We're inside the house. But what's happening, Dad? There's a hole in the sky—"

"Listen to me carefully," he interrupted, his voice serious. "Do not go outside. Lock all the doors and windows. Stay inside, no matter what."

His tone sent a chill down my spine.

"Dad… where are you?"

"I'm at my office. We're all staying inside the building. But I don't know how long we'll be safe. The news—"

He cut himself off.

The line was silent for a second.

Then, with a deep breath, he said, "Ethan, I need you to promise me something."

"What is it?"

"Take care of your mother and sister." His voice was steady, but I could hear the weight behind his words. "You're the man of the house now."

"Dad—"

"No matter what happens, you must protect them. Promise me."

My throat tightened.

"I… I promise."

"Good. Now—"

BZZZT.

The call cut off.

"Dad?! Dad?!" I tried calling back, but nothing.

I clenched my fist.

Something wasn't right.

The Monsters Arrive

I ran back to the window—and froze.

Something was coming out of the hole in the sky.

At first, it was just a shadow, but as it descended, the details became clearer.

It had fur as black as night, glowing red eyes, and razor-sharp claws.

A wolf-like creature—but twice the size of a lion.

It landed on a streetlight, crouching low, its muscles tensed like a predator preparing to pounce.

Then—

It attacked.

The monster lunged forward, its claws slicing through a nearby pedestrian like paper.

Blood sprayed across the pavement.

Screams filled the air.

More of them were coming. Dozens of monstrous creatures—wolves, reptilian beasts, creatures that looked like something straight out of a fantasy RPG—were pouring from the sky, attacking anything that moved.

People ran. Screamed.

The streets became a bloodbath.

And all I could do was watch.

A monster pounced on a woman, biting down on her shoulder. She screamed in agony as it tore into her flesh.

A man tried to run, only to be ripped apart by another creature.

The city—my home—was turning into a massacre.

I stumbled back, breathing heavily.

I was panicking.

I was terrified.

And for the first time in my life—

I felt completely, utterly helpless.

The Last Shred of Hope Fades

I ran back to my mom and Lina, who were still in front of the TV.

But the news wasn't any better.

Every channel was showing the same thing—

Cities being destroyed.

Monsters rampaging.

The military trying to fight back—but their weapons were useless.

Nothing was working.

People were dying everywhere.

Lina burst into tears, clinging to Mom's waist.

"I don't wanna die…" she sobbed.

I quickly grabbed the remote and shut off the TV.

Mom pulled Lina into her arms, whispering soft words to calm her.

But nothing could calm me.

I grabbed my phone and checked social media.

Trending topics:

#EndOfTheWorld#NoHope#MonstersEverywhere#GovernmentHasFallen

Every post was the same—people begging for help, praying for a miracle, or accepting their fate.

This was really happening.

This wasn't a dream.

This wasn't a movie.

This was real.

I turned to the window one last time.

Our neighbors—people I had seen every day—were dead.

And now, a group of monsters were charging toward our home.

My body went numb.

I could feel my sanity slipping.

I let out a small, broken laugh—and tears streamed down my face.

I turned to my mom and Lina and collapsed into their embrace.

And for the first time in years—

I cried like a child.

Because deep down—

I knew we wouldn't survive the night.