Chapter 4: Silence
Catherine swayed the Curtains of her Window as she went Downstairs. A dark green Humvee is Several Inches away from it. She observed the outside and it was seemingly Quiet, too quiet. She look left and right, trying to see more of the Outside Noticing that other Humvees and Trucks are lacking any life. The National Guard might've had a Thunderous Entrance, but their Presence is Seemingly unfelt. She stared outside for a while, trying to see a Glimpse of the sky, but still, all she could see is dark grey clouds. She swayed her Window back, closing any gaps that reveals the Outside. She went to her kitchen and tried to find what she could eat. She went through with her supplies and settled on Opening a canned tuna. She remembered that she can only eat one meal a day, so she figured she'd eat later at lunch. She walked to her Garage remembering the Painting she is working on. As she went there and saw the Painting, she realized that the flora in her Painting still required a few final touches.
She let it go for a while and pondered in her head how she can properly frame the look of her Painting. She settled on the Flora being at the side of the canvass, while she and her groom are in the Middle, inside of a Mini Gazebo where their vows will be said. On the back of them is the Guests attending the wedding. Above is the sky, a blue sky with little patches of clouds to give it more life and realism. She took a look down on her painting materials and she's glad that she has enough to make her plan a reality. She grabbed her apron, tied her hair and sat down in front of the Canvass. She started to paint the Gazebo first to have a clear Picture of how and where she would place the Guests, the groom and the Bride. As she uses the paint on the Canvass, passing away the colors on it's surface, time did so as well. She's locked on to what she is doing, unaware of her surroundings. Day would turn into night and she wouldn't even Notice it. If her phone didn't vibrate on her pocket, she would be trapped in her work, brushing away the time. She pulled her Phone from her Pocket and is delighted to see who it is.
"Hello?! Joseph?! Hello?!" she happily answered as she finally got to speak with her Fiance again.
Hello? Cath? I'm so sorry it took me this long." Joseph Hastingly replied.
"No it's ok, it's ok, how are you?" Catherine asked.
"I'm at a Tire shop, there wasn't any electricity in the past few days, so I was only able call you now" he explained.
"I'm glad you're okay, I was worried sick, even dad was worried sick" she replied
"You're...dad was worried sick about me?"
"Yeah, he called me a few times asking if I talked to you"
"Well I'm happy he thought about me, how about you are you okay?" Joseph asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just painting at the Moment. I'm glad you're okay, I was worried that you're....gone"
"Hey, I'm a tough guy okay? They'll have to do hell first, to get through me." Joseph Jokingly replied.
They talked for a while, catching up and talking about other things. Joseph asked what she is Painting, but she didn't want to spoil it yet. Catherine wanted to talk about the wedding, but she stops herself, thinking that she'll just upset him and her as well. Joseph or Joe at this point, is asking if the National Guard is also present to where she is. She said yes and he was relieved that she at least has some Protection. She didn't tell him about the Gun that she has, not because he might disagree, but because he might get worried about her using it, since unlike her Fiance and her father, she never really used one before. Joe told her that he misses her and he would kill, just to be at her side. Catherine, or Cath at this point, called him a cheeseball and told him to save it for the Monsters.
They would probably talk all day, if the National Guard didn't announce that a Group of UFBO'S are on their way. Cath didn't want to hang up, but Joe told her to and that he would call again later. They said their Goodbyes and hanged up. Cath didn't know what to do so she she sat down at the floor of her garage, with her knees bent upwards and her hands covering her ears. She didn't know what to expect, she doesn't if the National Guard will engage them or not but she's prepared to hear Gunshots. She sat for a while, and there was nothing. At first she didn't mind it and she just sat down waiting for something to happen, but there was nothing, only silence.
She tried to decide if she will stay put or look behind the windows. She's scared, on the outside she seemed fine, but on the inside she's quivering like a scared animal. The silence was getting on her nerves she doesn't know what is going on and she's really too afraid to check. Unnerved by the silence she swallowed her fear and made her way on the window of her Living room, quietly. As she reached the window, she's having second thoughts on whether or not she'll peak outside, once again she swallowed her fear and gained the courage to sway her window a little, just enough to see the outside. She's confused, with what little she could see, she could still make out the sky and notice that there's nothing. The Humvee is still parked outside, as it was this morning. She felt relieved thinking that the Monsters might've passed by already and that she's safe, she decided to peak around the place a little more, checking her surroundings for People and anything else she could find. She looked left at first and there was nothing, she stayed there for a while taking a good look at that direction, but as soon as she turned right, she saw a Pale man standing near her window.
She let go of the curtain upon being shocked, thankfully she didn't make any sound to alert the creature. He covered her mouth to dampen the sound of her breathing, she wondered what that is but then realized that it was one of the Monsters, but something wasn't right, aren't they supposed to be flying? She's scared and with her breathing, she's afraid that the creature might hear her despite her hands covering her mouth. She remembered her gun, but it was in the dining room table and she's too scared to even move. After a while she calmed herself, and thought that maybe the creature is long gone. But as she was about about to get up, she saw the creature's shadow cast over her window. Her heart is pounding fast, she's panicking thinking that the creature knows it's there. As it's shadow cast over her window, it remained standing still almost as if it's toying with her. He could see it's head tilt, left to right, she might not see it, but in her mind it's smiling waiting for the right time to get in. She thought about the National Guard, and she's thinking, why aren't they doing anything? Did they already subdue the National Guard? and are they next? She tried to remain calm and thought that the creature probably doesn't know that she's there and is only waiting to see movements. It was there for at least a few Minutes, until It grew seemingly bored. From it's shadow, she saw that it grew wings, batlike wings swallowing all the space the shadow is allowed to cast over. It Jump off and flew, she was relieved that it's gone but she is still unsure if it is the only one. Even if her security is still unsure, she began to relax. Thinking that at least nothing is on her window anymore. It took a few Minutes and the National Guard made an Announcement again that the UFBO's are gone. For the first time, Cath felt what being relieved truly is.
She ran to her kitchen and checked if she did left her Gun there, and thankfully she did. As relieved as she was, she felt angry and disappointment. She thought that the National Guard were going to engage the creature or at least lure them away, but they didn't. They weren't subdued or defeated, they were just there 'talking'. She went to her window checking if the National Guard were at least outside, but they aren't. She wanted to go outside and protest, but some Oldman was already there. He was shouting and protesting as to what they are there for, but the National Guard isn't even bothered by him to go Outside. He kept shouting and demanding for an Answer as to why they didn't do anything, but they still didn't notice him. He picked up a Rock and threw it at the Humvee, shouting and demanding that they Notice him. The National Guard finally went outside with Guns Pointed at the Old man, asking him to stop. But the old man is unphased and he still demanded to know why they didn't do anything, but one of the Soldiers only asked him to go inside. Cath guessed that the Old man Inspired others to go Outside as well, a Family also went outside asking the same answers. They were soon followed by different people and some of them asked if they are "Instructed" to shoot them instead.
The Situation was getting Ugly, people were starting to demand answers and the National Guard kept insisting for everybody to get Inside. Nobody was listening since their Voice is being drowned down by the protests, before it gets ugly one of the Soldiers took out his Pistol and fired at the sky, shutting down the Protesters. He grabbed a Microphone and Told everyone what they are really there for. The soldier told everybody that they aren't Instructed or Ordered to engage the UFBO's since they don't know anything about it. He added that once they are Captured and tested , they will be Instructed to engage but until then, there are only there to warn, provide safety, enforce laws, provide goods and services. He then insisted for them to get inside since the UFBO'S can comeback at anytime. After the announcement everyone followed and got inside. Cath is shaken and at disbelief that what she saw and is seeing is real. The world for her has truly shifted and it isn't the world she knew. She stepped away from the window and sat down at her sofa. She's relaxed but still scared about what's to come. She remembered the gun she is holding, and she wondered if it can really protect her, but she has nothing else only Prayers and Bullets to keep her safe, both of which she is holding on tightly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone