''I don't know what to do"

"I don't know what to do." That thought echoes in everyone's mind at some point. Yes, you. I'm looking at you. Don't tell me that hasn't crossed your mind. It's a universal question, a silent plea in the face of the unknown.

"Hey, jackass, watch where you're going!"

"Sorry, my bad, sir."

Yep, that's me, just your average 18-year-old boy whose life was about to be irrevocably altered. Up until a few minutes ago, the biggest decision I faced was whether to wear my new jeans on my first date. Now...

BAMMM! A sudden, deafening explosion ripped through the sky, tearing apart the familiar blue canvas above. "What the fuck was that?" The world around me dissolved into chaos. People screamed, a cacophony of terror, and scattered like leaves in a hurricane. Some ran blindly, others fell to their knees, clutching at their heads. I, on the other hand, was frozen, rooted to the spot by a primal fear I'd never experienced before. My eyes were glued to the sky. "Hey, hey, hey, what the fuck is that thing?"

A massive ship, impossibly huge, descended from the heavens. It was a dark, angular shape, a monstrous silhouette against the suddenly ominous sky, blotting out the sun and casting long, eerie shadows across the panicked crowds. Its surface seemed to shimmer, an unnatural metallic sheen that reflected the growing unease in the air. I sprinted home, fear lending wings to my feet. Every breath was a desperate gasp, every heartbeat a frantic drum against my ribs. "What was that thing? Is this the end of the world? Seriously? The world ends on the day I was supposed to have my first date? Of all the days! The universe is definitely not on my side today." Indeed, the universe was not on anyone's side. Today, May 15, 2027, extraterrestrial species made contact with humanity – a contact that was anything but peaceful.

"Come on, luv, just a few minutes more!" I reached my doorstep, my lungs burning, my legs aching. "Mom! Open the door, Mom!" I pounded on the door, my knuckles raw.

"Oh, thank God, honey, you're okay." She flung the door open and pulled me into a tight embrace. "Hey, stop, I can't breathe."

"What's on the news?" I asked, still catching my breath.

"I don't know. They're saying some alien species has contacted us." Her voice trembled slightly.

"What? Aliens?" My heart pounded in my chest. This couldn't be real.

"Yes, take a look." She gestured towards the television.

"Holy mother of gods, it's true." Alien freaking aliens. The images flickering across the screen were unbelievable: colossal ships, strange creatures, scenes of widespread panic. "And you're probably wondering why I'm not exhausted after running all this way. I'm a professional swimmer, that's why." I tried to inject a bit of humor into the situation, but even I could hear the tremor in my voice.

Suddenly, the Prime Minister's face appeared on the screen. "People of India," his voice boomed, usually calm and reassuring, now strained with urgency, "I advise you to stay home. Do not leave your houses. Seek shelter immediately."

"This must be fucking serious, then. Well, obviously, they just boomed our skies." I muttered.

"Luv, watch your language!" My mom, despite the alien invasion unfolding before our eyes, was still concerned about my swearing. It was almost comical.

"Wait, I'll call Uncle and check the kitchen. We need to see if we have enough food." My mom's practicality was a comfort in the face of the surreal.

"Wait, let me check..." I scanned the pantry. Canned goods, some rice, a few packets of noodles. Not nearly enough. "Alan, thank God you're okay. Did you see the news?" Uncle's voice was frantic on the other end of the line.

"Yes, I know. I don't know what to do." His usual jovial tone was replaced with fear.

"Mom, we don't have enough food." I said, turning back to her.

"Oh, shit. That means we have to go buy groceries." Her face was etched with worry.

"Yes, I know, luv. Just let me think... I'll go. You stay here."

"What? Didn't you see the news? It's not safe!"

"I know, luv, but it's our only option." She looked at me, her eyes filled with a desperate resolve.

"Then let me go." I pleaded.

"Are you crazy? Who in their right mind would let their child go during this situation?" She gripped my shoulders tightly.

"But..."

"No buts. I'm going. That's final." Her voice brooked no argument.

I didn't know what to do. A strange, unsettling feeling, a premonition of something terrible, washed over me. She was getting ready to leave.

"Lock the doors, okay? Don't open them for anyone, understand?"

"Yes, I understand." My voice was barely a whisper.

"Good. I'll be back as soon as possible. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Good. Now, lock the doors." She gave me one last hug, a lingering embrace that felt strangely final.

I watched as she drove away, her car disappearing around the corner. Then, I turned on the news, desperately trying to find out more about what was happening, to make sense of the chaos. Where was she? Three agonizing hours had passed.

Suddenly, I saw her car parked haphazardly down the street. My heart leaped into my throat. I ran towards it, confusion quickly turning to horror. The familiar blue sky was gone, replaced by a terrifying, pulsating blood-red expanse. It looked like the sky was bleeding. Mom was running towards me, her face pale, her eyes wide with terror.

"Luv, get back inside now!" Her voice was a strangled cry.

"Mom! What..."

A towering figure, easily twice the size of a man, strode towards her. It was grotesque, its skin a sickly black, its features distorted and inhuman. It held a weapon that resembled a cannon, a menacing device that glowed with an eerie energy. He aimed it at her. Flames, bright and searing, erupted from the weapon, engulfing my mother in a torrent of fire.

"MOMMMMMMM!"

She screamed in agony, her clothes ablaze, running towards me, a human torch. I was paralyzed, my mind unable to process what I was seeing. The raw horror of the moment froze me to the spot. She fell to the ground just feet away from me, her screams fading into a horrifying silence. I dropped to my knees, my world shattering around me.

The giant alien, seemingly unfazed by the inferno it had created, began walking towards me, its heavy footsteps shaking the very ground.

"Stand up, kid! We have to move!" A gruff voice broke through my shock. I looked up. Soldiers and tanks were firing missiles at the alien, a futile attempt to stop its advance.

"Come on, kid, get up! We have to go!" The soldier grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet.

"But my mom..." I stammered, tears streaming down my face.

"She's dead, kid. Now get up, unless you want to end up like her." His words were harsh, but his eyes held a flicker of pity.

I ran with the soldier, glancing back at the monstrous alien. It was completely unaffected by the missiles, its relentless march continuing. It was a scene of utter devastation; the alien was cutting a swathe of destruction through the neighborhood, killing people left and right.

I ran and ran, not looking back at the horror unfolding behind me. Later, I found myself huddled in a cold, damp bunker with other survivors. Children, smaller than me, toddlers, were scattered around the room. Their faces were streaked with blood and dust, their eyes wide with terror. They cried silently for their parents, their small bodies trembling. I was too stunned to speak, the image of my mother engulfed in flames seared into my brain.