It was a day like any ordinary day. A family gathering took place in this quiet little town. A young man named Robert had come home from college, along with his Chinese girlfriend, Jenny, to celebrate his mom, Mildred's birthday. Besides his father Bill, his two uncles, Brian and Mark, who served proudly in the military, and his lesbian cousin, Marcy, who came out at age eighteen.

Robert brought gifts to his mom, who was so thrilled to see her baby boy again. He introduced Jenny to the whole family, greeting her warmly. His cousin, Marcy, found her extremely attractive, seeing her in a red dress, long dark hair, and high heels. She went as far as telling Robert that if he and Jenny don't work out, he should hook them up. Whether she was kidding or not was up to discussion.

After singing Happy Birthday and everyone had their cake, Robert went up to his old bedroom, all kept nice and dust free by his mom. His room was left exactly the way he remembered, with photos and trophies on his dresser, posters of rock musicians, and the desk he used for homework assignments. The stroll through memory lane would soon be interrupted by a gentle knock on his door.

"Mind if I come in?" Jenny asked.

"Come on in," Robert answered.

"Nice room."

"Yeah, mom likes to keep it as spotless as possible."

Jenny approached his dresser, getting a closer look at the trophies and photographs of his youth. Robert sat on his old bed, telling her of his accomplishments from so long ago, starting with his little league photo and trophy that was well earned.

"You were a cute little boy," said Jenny.

"Yeah," said Robert, feeling a blush coming on. "It was a great day. They called us tiny terrors because we beat pretty much everybody, but that championship game was tough. The opposing team had good hitting and pitching, but we pulled it off two to one. My mom cried that day and dad was the biggest cheerleader everyone hated."

Jenny giggled over that pleasant thought. She then approached his track and field photo and championship trophy from high school.

"And this?" She asked.

"I was the fastest runner in school," Robert answered. "That time my mom was doing all the cheer leading."

Jenny giggled once again.

"Dad had a sore throat that day," said Robert, "so he couldn't do any screaming."

Jenny admired Robert's sense of humor and his honesty towards her; some of the reasons she fell for him. That and the fact she complimented on how great his buttocks were.

"I gotta sit down," she said,

Robert patted the spot next to him for her to sit on. Jenny slipped off her high heels and wiggled her toes, letting out one big sigh of relief.

"My feet," she said. "These high heels are going to be the death of me."

Robert hated seeing her suffer, doing just about anything to keep her happy.

"You want me to rub them?" He said.

"If you don't mind."

"No, not at all. Come on."

"My hero."

Jenny planted her feet on his lap, feeling relieved and relaxed from the touch of his warm gentle hands.

"How does that feel?" Robert asked.

"Oh, that feels good," she said. "Yeah, right there. Hmm, I could pass out right now."

"I hope not or else I'll have to give you mouth to mouth."

"You would, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, I would."

Robert was good in making Jenny laugh at just about any joke. He was also good with his hands when it came to touching and feeling every part of Jenny's body. She found his hands to be gentle and passionate when it came to the bedroom. He knew exactly how to treat her.

"So," she asked, "how many girls have you had up here?"

"None," Robert answered.

"None?"

"Not one."

"You're kidding?"

"My mom wouldn't allow not one girl in my room; she was very strict about that. One time she said, 'you're not impregnating any sluts in my house.'

"Sounds serious."

"You have no idea."

"So, I'm the first girl ever to come into your room?"

"The very first."

"Really?"

Jenny placed a hand under his chin, planting a kiss on the cheek, leaving him surprised by her actions.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"First kiss on the cheek in your room."

Jenny continued the fun giving him a kiss on his forehead and one on the other cheek. It soon got interesting when she planted her lips on his, officially giving him that first kiss by a girl in his old bedroom.

"First kiss on the lips," she said, "now it's official."

"How about a second one, and a third one?"

Jenny did just that, twice on his lips.

"How about another?" Robert asked. "And another after that?"

"You're pushing it," Jenny giggled.

"Then push back."

Both of them shared a chuckle before locking lips once again. The kiss got more passionate leading to them wrapping their arms around each other. Robert had a hand on her thigh, slowing reaching up towards her dress. The excitement would soon end by an adult, standing by the door, clearing his throat. The sound alarmed the young couple, making them separate from one another.

"Dad," said Robert, smiling in embarrassment. "W-what's up?"

"Ah, this brings back memories," said his father, smiling, "when your mom and I were looking for a place to make out when we were young. Those were fun-."

"Dad, we don't need to hear that."

"Just saying."

"I'll see you downstairs," said Jenny, grabbing her shoes and leaving the bedroom. "Mr. Wells."

"Hello, dear."

With Jenny out, Robert's dad remained in the room looking at Robert smiling and embarrassed at the same time. All he did was stood there and smiled himself.

"What?" Robert asked.

"I love seeing you smile. My son, the hopeless romantic."

"Romantic, yes, but not hopeless."

"Come on, let's get back downstairs before your mom has a heart attack."

Father and son headed downstairs with smiles on their faces, but soon that would change dramatically. Jenny and the family were glued to the flat screen television, watching a report on cities from all over the world, being devastated by some unknown force.

"What's going on?" Bill asked.

"Not sure yet," said Marcy. "It looks pretty bad."

The reports indicate a meteor shower but nothing had been confirmed. Cities were being leveled and the death toll rose rapidly.

"Meteor shower?" Said Uncle Brian. "It looks more like an attack."

"Attack by who?" Mildred asked.

"Anybody. It's like nine eleven all over again."

"Let's not jump to conclusions," said Uncle Mark. "We don't even know if this is an attack or not."

Those being interviewed have said it was coming from the sky; balls of bright light cutting through the clouds, and dropping like bombs. Many have already assumed it's the end of days and it was time to repent before it was too late. Jenny took hold of Robert's hand and held it real tight. He could see how scared she was and did his best to calm her down.

Anyone with a television watched the events unfold, all shocked at what they saw. Soon the disaster would reach home without warning. One house from across the street was completely obliterated, alarming the family and the entire neighborhood.

"What the hell was that?" Bill asked.

Everyone ran outside, seeing the destruction up close. Other homes were being destroyed, along with trees lighting up like candles.

"We're being attacked," said Uncle Brian. "I know we are."

"That's enough, Brian," said Bill. "Calm down,"

"We can't stay here," said Marcy.

"Dad," said Robert, "she's right."

"Then where do we go?"

"The basement," said Mildred. "We'll be safe down there."

"No way," said Marcy, "that place is a death trap; I ain't going down there."

Another ball of light struck down the side of the house. The impact had shattered the nearest window, sending shards flying into the family's direction, forcing them to duck down while suffering only minor cuts.

"That was too close," said Uncle Brian.

The sounds of screaming soon caught everyone's attention. Mildred rushed over to Marcy's aid on the floor, bleeding profusely through her wounded eye.

"Marcy!" Bill shouted, rushing to her aid. "Get a towel. Somebody get a towel! Marcy, hang on."

"Shit," said Marcy, mad over her own blood spilling on the floor and her outfit.

"Hang in there, cousin," said Robert.

"Don't lie to me or I'll kick your ass."

"You'll be fine. You're a bad bitch."

Mildred rushed into the kitchen, grabbing a dish towel from the sink. Bill placed it over Marcy's eye, doing little to stop the bleeding. Robert dialed for emergency on his phone, receiving a message of the call not being complete. Everyone else tried theirs, only to receive the same message.

"Shit!" Uncle Brian yelled. "Fucking phone."

"Nothing," said Robert, putting his phone away in frustration.

"We need to get her to a hospital," said Mildred.

"It's too dangerous out there," said Bill, "and we can't call for help."

"I'll take her," said Brian.

"I'm coming with you," said Mark. "Bill, you stay here. If there's a phone that works, we'll call when we get there. Here we go, Marcy."

"I'm sorry I messed up the floor," said Marcy.

"Don't worry about it."

Marcy's blood on the floor was the least of Mark's worries. He picked up Marcy and carried her in his arms. Brian rushed out of the house first to get to his vehicle and unlock the doors.

"Brian," said Bill.

"Don't stop us, Bill," said Brian.

"I'm not. Just be careful."

"Thanks."

Marcy was laid down in the backseat with the two brothers riding upfront. Quickly, Mark turned on the ignition after one successful attempt and drove on as fast as he could. After two blocks, Brian didn't get very far as his vehicle was struck down, becoming one huge fireball.

"No!" Bill shouted, running towards the wreckage.

"Bill!" Mildred shouted.

"Nooo!"

All he could do was stand there and cry his heart out, ignoring the sounds of his family pleading for him to come back inside. Robert rushed outside, pulling his father back away from the fiery wreckage.

"Dad," he said, "we have to get back inside. Dad! Come on!"

Both men rushed back inside before another ball of light struck down another house, with their neighbors screaming and engulfed in flames.

"Oh, my God," Bill cried. "They're dead! They're all fucking dead!"

"Robbie" said Jenny, "what do we do? I need to get to my family."

"I know," said Robert, feeling his nerves going up the roof. "I don't know if we can make it."

"We have to try."

"I can't leave my parents alone."

"Robert," said Mildred, "listen to me. She's right."

His mother heard every word and feared there would be an argument between them. She wasn't going to let it happen in the middle of a crisis. Family coming first was something Mildred took very seriously.

"Mom," said Robert.

"You need to take her to her family," said Mildred, beginning to show tears.

"Mom, I can't leave you and dad alone."

"Robbie, you must. Her family must be worried sick about her. You really need to go."

"M-mom."

"Don't argue, son," said Bill. "Listen to your mother. We'll be all right."

"Robbie, please," said Jenny, with tears in her eyes.

No matter how much he begged, his parents insisted that he and Jenny leave them behind. He was teary eyed himself as he rushed into his parents' arms, kissing both on the cheek.

"We love you, son," said Mildred. "Take care of Jenny; she's a nice girl."

"I love you both," said Robert. "I'll come back; I promise."

"Get going, son," said Bill. "We'll be all right."

"Robbie," said Jenny, grabbing his hand.

"Go."

With high heels in her hands, Jenny pulled Robert all the way outside before he gave one last love you to his parents. Hand in hand they ran towards his car, with Bill and Mildred looking on, hoping for the best to the young couple. They were inches from reaching the vehicle until a sudden blast forced them down on their knees. Both saw what had happened, leaving Robert devastated over the fiery scene glowing before him. The very house he grew up in was no more; completely destroyed, taking the lives of both his parents.

"No!" He screamed. "Mom! Dad!"

He wanted to go in and save them, but Jenny held on to his arm, not wanting to get any close to the flames.

"Robbie!" Jenny shouted.

"No!" Robert screamed with tears flowing.

"Robbie, we have to go!"

"Noo!"

"Robbie, please."

A sudden blast knocked the young couple to the ground. Robert's vehicle was struck down, ending the couple's plan to escape from harm. Slowly, he got up, rushing right over to Jenny's aid, appearing unharmed.

"Jenny," he said, helping her up. "Babe, are you all right?"

"I think so," she said. "Your car."

"We need to run."

"Run?"

Two more houses were destroyed and people ran for their lives, away from the danger.

"We don't have a choice," said Robert. "You hold my hand and don't let go. You hear me?"

Jenny agreed and took his hand, joining the running and panicked crowd. Leaving her high heels behind, she ran the rest of the way barefooted, not even concerned over what she may step on. The destruction rained down upon the crowd with some pushing others aside to clear the way. The young couple held each others' hands with fingers locked tight, refusing to let go.

The balls of light rained down upon the crowd, forcing them to run even faster. Some were already getting tired, all covered in both sweat and soot. One by one bodies were being scattered by the sudden blasts, leaving behind a grisly scene. One blast knocked everyone off their feet including the young couple.

Robert laid on the ground with ears ringing. Once it cleared up, he realized Jenny was no longer holding his hand. All around him there were bodies and limbs scattered in the streets. Those in one piece on the ground were either twitching or burned to a crisp.

"Jenny?" He called out for her. "Jenny! Where are you?"

Robert looked over his shoulder, seeing the bodies of those who tried to flee. Soon he spotted the one thing that would hurt him deeply. Jenny laid on the pavement face down, without moving one single muscle.

'Jenny!" He screamed, rushing over to her aid.

The young man dropped to his knees, turning the girl over, and seeing the horror up close. Jenny's face was half burnt, her red dress tattered, and showed no signs of life.

"Jenny," said Robert, "Jenny, wake up! Wake up! Oh, God, no. Please, wake up!"

No matter how many times he begged and pleaded, Jenny would not open her eyes or respond to his cries. Everyone Robert ever loved were taken in the blink of an eye, leaving him all alone with his sorrows. He held on to his dead lover and screamed towards the heavens above.

"Why?" He cried. "Why? Why?"

It would be the last words he would ever speak as the balls of light rained down upon the pavement, one after the other before finally striking him down and ending his life.

The real cause of planet Earth's devastation was not the work of a meteor shower, but something a bit more powerful. The balls of light in actuality were laser cannons, fired from a saucer like spacecraft, holding a crew of six.

The beings onboard wore matching silver jump suits, golden skin, and bulging green eyes. Their mission was the find a new home for their people, but in order to do that they needed to first exterminate the lifeforms that roamed the planet.

"Make sure there's nothing left," said the captain. "we can't afford to let even one of those things live."

"Aye, sir," said his gunner.

They came from far from another galaxy, on a planet slowly dying due to scorching heat, lack of food, and a slow water supply that left hundreds dead. Time was running out and these beings needed to accomplish their mission or it would be the end of their species. The first step was to eliminate the life forms inhabiting the planet.

All was going according to plan until a young ensign, in charge of communications, detected something disturbing through his earpiece. After receiving the correct reception, what he heard shocked every pore of his golden flesh.

"Captain!" He yelled. "Seize fire!"

"What?" The captain asked.

"You must seize fire."

"What are you talking about?"

"Seize fire now!"

"Have you gone mad, ensign?"

"Captain, we made a mistake. This is not planet Eridia."

The crew looked at him like he was crazy, but the captain gave the word to call off the attack just to find out what the young ensign was babbling about.

'Explain, ensign," said the captain.

"This is the wrong planet, captain."

"Impossible."

"There are people down there; humans."

"Humans? That's impossible."

The science officer got on her monitor, scanning the entire planet. She detected lands, water, and the number of beings who settled there, slowly dying from the devastation the crew had caused.

"Lieutenant," said the captain.

"The ensign is right, captain,' she answered. "There are a billion human beings on the planet below."

"Put it on screen."

The screen lit up for the entire crew to see, getting a good look at what they had done. They saw cities on fire and deaths of citizens at an alarming rate. People dying and crying, begging for medical attention for their injured children. It was the most horrific scene the crew had ever seen.

"No," said the captain. "No, this can't be."

The first officer was greatly disturbed at what he saw before him. It was a bad dream and there was no way of waking up from it.

"We killed them," he said. "This is cold blooded murder, captain."

"It can't be. It just can't be. The coordinates we received were confirmed. Damn it, they were confirmed."

"Captain," said the navigator, "according to this, we took a wrong turn towards another galaxy. This is neutral territory; we shouldn't even be here."

"What planet is it?"

"Earth...it's called Earth."

The captain collapsed on his chair, in disbelief over the fatal error he and his crew had made. He was familiar with the planet and how primitive it was, and the people living there were no threat to his race. On screen, photos of Earth and Eridia appeared on display, with both looking similar in size, shape, and oceans.

"What have we done?" He said, with a hand on his face.

"What do we do?" The ensign asked. "Should we help them?"

"We can't."

"Captain, they need our help."

"We can't expose ourselves. If word got out over what we did, we will be accused of war crimes. They will execute us and our families, and you all know this. There is nothing more we can do."

"What are your orders, captain?" His first officer asked

"Delete any records we were ever here. We'll tell our superiors we were caught up in an asteroid field, and barely escaped with our lives. We were unable to find Eridia due to a computer error, and the coordinates were lost. That is our story. Are we all in agreement?"

The crew took their time in deciding to go through with the cover story. They were fully aware of what their government would do, and death was the only punishment existing on their planet. Families would be executed to prevent anyone from seeking vengeance against the government. The first officer was the first to nod his head in agreement. One by one the rest of the crew agreed except for the young ensign, who sat there looking at his monitor over the destruction below, and the faces of those suffering.

"Ensign," said the first officer, getting his attention, "think about your family."

"I am, sir," said the ensign, "I truly am. I just feel guilty over what we did, and we have to pretend none of this happened."

"We all feel guilty, ensign, but there is no going back from all this. Our families' lives are more important than the humans. Make your decision."

As much as the young ensign didn't want to, he finally agreed to go through with the cover story. His family meant more to him than any world in space, and he couldn't bare the thought of losing them.

"Helmsman," said the captain, letting out a big sigh, "take us out."

The order was given and the crew were on the correct course to their home planet, leaving behind a shattered world and a destroyed space station, drifting in pieces. After their return, the cover story was shared with their superiors and the entire planet. Not one word was ever uttered on their tragic mistake and soon the crew would go back out, finally locating the right planet. Earth would have its own cover story to work on, sticking to the subject of a meteor shower that seemed plausible enough.

What was supposed to be a wondrous time for a certain family, ended in tragedy in a matter of minutes. A small and quiet town left destroyed, filled with anger, pain, and anguish. Not one living soul would ever know what really happened or why.

For young Robert, it was a sad day, who had plans for the future that included being with the love of his life. He would never get the chance to propose, get married or even have kids. Perhaps in another life, he would get another chance.