Prologue
I remember the day the first portal opened. It happened the day after millions of people inexplicably vanished around the world. Nobody knew what was going on. Most thought it was the rapture and that the wrath of God would soon be upon us. There wasn’t any other way to describe the chaos and panic that hit like a bolt of lightning.
Where was I? Oh, yeah, the portals. The first one opened in ; they never saw it coming. Nobody could have predicted what would emerge from it, or the destruction and immeasurable loss of life it would cause. Things went from bad to worse; from alarm and wonder to abject fear and panic. An explosion was rumored to have devastated Times Square and most of and other portals were reported in cities across the eastern seaboard and beyond.
And that was only the beginning. Within moments, the streets of became a graveyard. I barely escaped with my life, leaving just before a portal opened there. I was one of the lucky few. Billions died that day.
I was just running blindly – trying to stay ahead of the slaughter. It wasn’t until I got to that I realized the terrible truth. The armies of hell had just started a war with us, and they were winning. We were outmatched and vastly outnumbered. Only a miracle could save us.
April 6, 2025.
Rain fell over the city that never sleeps while lightning made a futile attempt to light up the ever darkening sky. An ominous feeling settled over the city like a dark fog, growing thicker by the second. The usual assortment of sounds and smells assaulted each New Yorker as they went about their business.
Yet the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple appeared oddly slow in . That’s when it began, starting as a small point like a minute black hole. The dark spot quickly expanded, the size of a beach ball, growing larger. The dark sphere emitted a tormenting, almost malevolent aura as it hovered six feet off the ground. It fed on the gloom, quickly overtaking the city, sapping it of what little good was left. A strange hum began to emanate from within the portal.
Inside the home of Eunice and Harold the hum pulsated through the walls covered in antiquated wall paper.
Harold adjusted the bifocals in front of his face before his wrinkled hand turned another page on the bible in his hands.
Eunice shuffled into the living room, her head turning this way and that, her brow was furrowed in confusion.
“I see Reverend Thomas stopped by. How was the visit?” Eunice inquired.
“Enrapturing, as usual.” Harold replied.
“Dear, check your hearing aid, it sounds like you’re trying to pick up heaven from the living room.” She said, Harold simply chuckled.
“Oh Harold, if the rapture happened today, you would be the first one taken.” Eunice lovingly scolded.
Harold let out another chuckle.
I wouldn’t go without you, my dear.
Eunice leaned over and kissed Harold on the cheek lovingly before she ambled back into the kitchen.
Eunice managed to miss the sound of a book falling to the floor in the living room.
“Would you like another cup of tea, dear?”
Harold did not reply.
“Harold?” Eunice repeated, her inquiry went unnoticed. Eunice picked up a tray loaded with cups and a tea pot and shuffled back to the living room where Harold’s sweater and pants seemed to still be there, but Harold was gone, as though he was vaporized.
The tray fell from Eunice’s hand and shattered.
