?"I’ll take you at your word!" Ten(Amethyst)’s voice rang out from the back seat, cutting off Teru. Though her voice trembled, she pushed through with a force that felt like a steel beam piercing through the glass. "We’re grateful for the warning you’ve given us—complete strangers—and besides, we won’t know for sure until those five minutes are up."

  ?"Your understanding is appreciated... my siblings."

  ?"Siblings?" Teru muttered, looking utterly bewildered.

  ?"It’s a term of endearment. Now, wake up! You’ve had a bit to drink, haven't you?" Phoebe said, rubbing his shoulder from behind.

  ?"What was that drink called again? I feel like I’ve wandered into another dimension."

  ?"Don’t make it sound like I spiked it with something weird. Leti-chan, give him a pinch."

  ?"On it!"

  ?"Less than three minutes remaining."

  ?The blonde woman pointed into the distance. Though nothing was visible yet, a sound began to bleed through the air—a low hum, like charged plasma falling toward the forest, drawing closer.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  ?The star-filled sky gradually shifted, veiled by a thin, reddish-purple canopy. Suddenly, a streak of yellow light, as if splitting the very heavens in two, roared toward them with a searing, crackling thunder.

  ?A thunderhead? It was impossible to tell.

  ?"Time is up."

  ?In that instant, a mass of light slammed into the thicket a hundred meters ahead. The earth tore open at a terrifying speed.

  ?"What the—!?"

  ?The father had been poised with his iPad camera, but the shockwave jolted the entire car, sending the device slipping from his grip.

  ?"I've never seen lightning like that," he breathed.

  ?The woman corrected him calmly. "As you may have surmised, that was no lightning strike."

  ?"I've seen things like this on the internet, but in person... it’s something else. I haven't the slightest clue how you knew it was coming."

  ?"Daddy, what was that glowing thing?"

  ?"Leti, it’s a good thing we didn't keep driving. That was either a meteorite or a massive ball of charged plasma. Definitely not your average bolt of lightning. It seems these ladies know exactly what’s going on, so our safest bet is to trust them and follow their lead."

  ?"Indeed. I am glad we have earned your trust. Allow us to guide the way. Do you two agree?"

  ?"Y-yes..." Phoebe and Ten managed to nod, their voices caught in their throats.

  ?"Then, let us go."

  ?It seemed that even for beings from another world, a nod remained the universal sign for "Yes."