My mind is reeling from the smell of burned meat. It’s been too long since we’ve been able to eat anything besides the vegetables, so my hopes are high. I sigh at the possibility of substantial food. Since the Doom I have learned to take everything with a grain of salt, because in every positive thing, there’s always something negative.

“You seem more gloomy than usual,” Maturana eyes me with a hint of worry. Normally his eyes are devoid of any emotions. Even through the tough-guy exterior I can see his crumbling core. The Doom has taken its toll on even the sturdiest man.

“Have you watered the plants?” I ask, completely ignoring his remark. “Momma left me in charge, and you know that she will blame me if something goes awry,” Maturana shrugs, as if he doesn’t care at all.

“I’m just worried about you, man. The plants have been watered,” He adds with a slight annoyance in his voice before he turns his head towards the stove.

Once again, I sigh. The window next to my kin-brother reveals the twisted landscape illuminated by The Yellow Sun. The Herald of The Doom, and reason for the state we’re in. It started 15 years ago. From one day to the next.

The worst wasn’t the Yellow Sun.

No, far from.

The worst was The Time-Eaters.

I hear the scratching sound before Maturana realizes what’s going on. Lulled into a false sense of security has left us vulnerable to outside noises.

Before any of us has time to react, the door blows off the hinges with a loud “thud”. Maturanas’ eyes flickers from side to side at the prospect of dying, but even at this, he picks up the pistol hanging at his waist. But he is too late.

I feel the ripple in time as sudden as a chill in the air. Out of the blue, the space between Maturana and I crackle with electricity before it appears. I have no time to react. It is to fast, and the effect the monster has on the concept of time, is fucking with my mind. A sound of teeth tearing through flesh, reaches my ear. Screaming with pain Maturana falls to the floor. A pool of crimson red forms around his mauled body.

“Damn! Fucking bastard!” I know it doesn’t help screaming profanities at the creature, but my mind’s crumbling under the Time-ripple it created when it arrived.

The Time-Eater turns around. Removes its focus from Maturana. I once again get the chills. The oblong face, covered with oozing blisters and an enormous mouth with razor-sharp teeth eyes me with hunger. But its not the teeth I’m scared of.

At the top of its revolting head, I see them. The antennalike features that’s pointing upwards. Those are the things I’m frightened of.

“I kill you, even if it’s the last thing I’ll do…” I take a deep breath before I tighten my grip on the pistol at my belt. But even in my current state of revenge, I know that I’ve messed up. Messed up pretty bad...

The antennas beginning to vibrate, and the piercing scream that is starting to slowly emerge from the creature rips the air in two. I try to open my mouth, but before I can react my vision goes black…

…

… My mind is reeling from the smell of burned meat. It’s been too long since we’ve been able to eat anything besides the vegetables, so my hopes are high…