Purple

Sam had never seen such a clear sky until that night. The sky was ink black and glowing stars danced like ballerinas. She had forgotten how long she had lain there, but it must have been an hour or so. You see, it is not often that one can see stars in New York City. At least this is something good out of quarantine, Sam thought. She had only seen this sight in television and in comics, but never in real life. So when she looked out her window just before going to bed an hour ago, she knew must savor this moment. Lying in her backyard, she counted the numerous stars that filled the sky and even the occasional shooting stars, which excited her most.

She got up and looked at her watch; it was 12:48 a.m. Flopping back down onto the grass, she let the cool air surround her as she breathed in deeply. Her eyelids began to feel heavy and fatigue slowly crept up her body. The world darkened slightly, but the stars still shone brightly. However, she noticed something just before her eyelids gave out: a giant shooting star? A sudden burst of energy rushed through her body and in a moment, she had woken up and stood looking at the sky. Her eyes widened and her jaws dropped as she took in the sight. It was not a dream. A massive red rock move across the night sky, leaving a trail of fiery crimson behind it. It was so bright that it illuminated her house in an eerie red. The rock seemed to burn brighter by the second. It flew slowly through the air and time felt slow. Sam jerked herself from her gaze and ran inside. She turned on the television immediately to the news channel. A suited anchor sat solemnly at the table, hands folded:

"Our dear listeners, just now, a massive asteroid is now on course to collide with Earth. For some reason, NASA did not detect this asteroid earlier on, but nevertheless, it is now too late. It truly seems like it is the end of the--Wait...Wait...Something has come in. The White House has released an immediate plan to hold off the asteroid, coming in effect now. We will keep you updated on any news we have."

Sam stepped away and looked out the window. She could see the terrifying, flaming rock hurling toward Earth. It was closer than ever now, and it was heading right toward the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center area! She ran up to her roof to get a clearer look. This is really it now, she thought. I can't even call my family to say goodbye. How the hell is the government going to stop that massive thing? BOOM! Sam heard a deafening explosion behind her and she took cover, blocking her ears. What the-- She looked back. From a distance, she saw a silhouette of a rocket--no, a missile. It was so far away, as if it were in D.C.--no, it was definitely in D.C.--but how could something that far away be seen from New York? A million questions rushed through her head, but before her next thought processed, the missile shot up in a flash and came headlong toward her direction at an alarming speed. It grew nearer and nearer and bigger and bigger, until before she could even run downstairs, the massive white missile zoomed above her. Sam's ears could only hear a loud ring by now as she ducked for cover again. WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT! After a few seconds, her nerves cooled, she turned back toward Manhattan and took in the sight. The asteroid was so near the buildings now and the missile zoomed quickly. The missile collided with the asteroid just as it was about to touch Earth and she could only see purple. No, really, purple. As the missile exploded, instead of sparks and the explosive noise Sam expected like in movies, an aura of beautiful rich purple emerged and hugged the asteroid, receiving the blow, as if it were a barrier. Sam could not believe her eyes. This has to be a dream. Suddenly, the purple aura, with the massive asteroid cradled into it, popped the asteroid up with a blinding speed. The massive rock flew back into space hastily and the aura disappeared. What...

She ran downstairs as fast as she could and switched on the television again. But instead of breaking news, only commercials were on. She pressed impatiently at the remote to every news channel she could think of, but all showed commercials or sports. She pinched herself and she definitely felt it. She was not dreaming. She decided to call Jack, her best friend, but she could only get to voicemail. She phoned her other friend, and another, and then her mother, father, brother, everyone, but no one answered, as if the whole city had actually fallen asleep. The world seemed blissfully unaware of what just happened. No! I saw it with my own eyes! Only questions raced through her head, each of them nagging at her to be answered. Frustrated, she tried the television again and again--only commercials. She tried calling everyone again, but only ended up in their voicemails.

The doorbell rang suddenly, and her mind cleared for a second. The room became cold. Sam walked slowly to the door, afraid to make any sound. She slowly unlocked the door and creaked it open. She saw three tall, muscular men in suits just beyond her door. Each donned sunglasses and each as intimidating as the other. "Can--Can I help you?" she managed to squeak.

The bald one began: "Good morning, ma'am. We're from the FBI. We've come to the knowledge that you have seen something...unusual. By any chance, have you complied with your doctor to take the pill?"

"Um...I--no? I must have forgotten. But I don't understand how a migraine pill have anything to do with this--"

At that moment, the FBI agent shoved Sam hard and she fell to the floor. Dread crept up to her. How the hell did they figure out that I saw the asteroid? She feared even more that they would figure out she had lied to them. She did not forget to take the pill. She did not. For the past few weeks, her doctor had contacted her, her family, friends, to take this migraine pill, or whatever it was, to cure any stress or such. She took it the first time, but felt instantly dizzy and woke up the next morning with her memory of the previous night cleared. She knew something was up, but she did not at all know it would involve the FBI. So when a pill came next time in her mail from the doctor, she didn't drink it. And now, she knew the truth.

"You MUST comply and take the pill next time!"

"Ok, ok...I will. Please don't hurt me."

"Ma'am, we believe you have known too much already. You pose an extreme risk to national security."

Sam saw the bold agent reaching inside his coat and pulled out what seemed like a gun. She spun around and ran from the door, but it was too late. A beam of that same purple aura grasped her from behind, sending electrifying energy through her, and the next moment, she was on the ground. The world went black.

She woke up next morning on the floor. She did not remember what happened last night: the asteroid, the purple aura, the agents. She saw the glorious New York City from her window, shining like gold in the sun. Filled with a burst of energy, she resumed her work. Everything that happened last night seemed to have slipped out of her mind.

A new message popped up on her laptop screen: Pick up your next delivery of The Pill tonight!